STUDENTS at Giggleswick School have secured places at a range of higher education institutions, both home and abroad, after receiving excellent A Level results.

A total of 59 students took their A Levels at the independent school this year, including three Craven area students –Jack Harrison from Settle who has been accepted into the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama; Jessie Silk from Skipton who has secured a much sought after place at Edinburgh University and Tash Elsworth from Skipton who will be attending Leeds Conservatoire.

Headmaster, Mark Turnbull, said: “After facing unprecedented challenges during their Sixth Form, the students achieved some excellent grades.

“The grades our pupils have achieved are a triumph for them and they should all be very proud.

“There is no comparison with previous years – the students have had an extraordinary final four terms at school, the likes of which no one has experienced before. The way they have overcome the obstacles to their learning is a testament to their perseverance and creativity.

“When coming into receive their results this morning I was struck by the warmth of their gratitude towards their teachers, which is a tribute to how hard everyone has worked in support of these fantastic outcomes.”

Alongside their A level study, all sixth form students at Giggleswick also take the highly regarded Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – which allows students to research an area of interest away from their other A Level studies.

Jack Harrison, from Settle, had an unconditional offer to study at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, being one of 12 successful applicants from a field of around 30,000. He was delighted to receive an A in Drama, A* in Textiles, an A* in his EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) and a Merit 1 in Art.

He said: “I fell in love with performing arts and when I decided wanted to do it as a career, the support I received from the school, and in particular Gareth Warburton (Director of Performing Arts), was fantastic.”

Jack added: “Lockdown was really difficult and definitely affected me as I’m quite a social person, but the school were very supportive.

“The motto my parents always use, “you get out what you put in”, is something I’ve really taken on board.”

Jessie Silk from Skipton will be studying History and French at Edinburgh University after receiving an A* in History, A in French, B in English Literature and an A* in her EPQ.

She said: “I was kind of shaky when I opened the results but I’m really happy with them. I was a bit nervous about some of the subjects, but I do think the results reflect the hard work I put in over the exam period.

“It was a difficult and stressful time, but the teachers really helped and have been incredibly supportive all the way through it.”

Tash Elsworth from Skipton joined Giggleswick for the sixth form as a music scholar.

She will now be attending Leeds Conservatoire to study a degree in Music Business after receiving a double Distinction* in BTEC in Business, and an A in A Level Music.

Tash, who plays clarinet and piano, said: “I found the music really challenging so I’m delighted to get an A.

“I had originally planned to go to a music school in Australia, but with Covid, I decided to postpone that until after university.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the amount of support from teachers, including the pastoral care, it’s been a truly brilliant experience.”