STUDENTS at Giggleswick School are celebrating A-level success and are pursuing their personal passions as they move on to a wide variety of exciting futures, says the independent school.

The results see students head off to red-brick and Russell group universities including Cambridge, Durham, Exeter and University College London (UCL) as well as places on degree apprenticeships with Rolls-Royce.

A total of 56 students took their A-levels at the school this year and their wide-ranging future studies include medicine and classics, maths, languages, architecture, and history.

One successful student is off to study motorsport mechanics at the National College of Motorsport in Silverstone, while another is off to study music theatre at The American Musical Dramatic Academy in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in the United States.

Sam Hart, Headmaster, said: “I am pleased with the results which reflect considerable hard work and determination.

"Across the cohort, pupils have secured excellent offers. Whether it be Cambridge, leading Russell Group universities, degree apprenticeships or apprenticeships, they are heading off to exciting futures.

"I am particularly delighted that Eleanor and Jemimah have secured their Cambridge offers to read medicine and classics – a very fine achievement against strong competition.

"However, there is much to celebrate across the board for a year group that sat their first every set of public exams this year. I have been impressed by their resilience, ambition and desire to follow their interests beyond Giggleswick.”

After achieving A-stars in English Literature, History, Religious Studies and Latin, former deputy head girl Jemimah Allmand-Smith from Bury has secured her place to read Classics at Cambridge University.

She said: “The big thing that makes Giggleswick unique, in my experience, is the environment. It can foster your love for learning and your love for co-curricular. My teachers have always been so supportive, they’ve always challenged me and pushed me to reach the best I can with my academics. Having the opportunity to take part and be involved in so many different academic, musical, and sporting interests of mine has been amazing.”

Leo Gorner from Giggleswick will be studying German and Spanish at Durham University.

“I’m so relieved it’s over and I’ve got the grades I needed. I’m really proud of the A that I achieved in History; my friends and I worked really hard spending a lot of time studying independently, and I’m glad to see it paid off. The support and extra help provided from every single teacher on the lead up to exams was second to none.”

Harry Cook from Giggleswick will be completing a degree apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce.

He said: “Gigg were fantastic with helping me apply for apprenticeships. The apprenticeship club every week really helped me to understand the process and applications. The best thing about Gigg is everything that is on offer here, and from that, all the friendships you make. You’re not just friends with those in your house, you’re friends with everyone through all the extra activities you take part in too.”

Josh Fry from Skipton took business, economics and politics and plans to travel in Australia during his gap year. He hopes to attend Exeter or Reading to study Business Management when he returns.

“I’m happy, surprised, and relieved with my results. Whilst I’ve been at Gigg I’ve been able to take part in a lot of sport such as cricket, rugby, and hockey, and that really helped to take my mind off the stress of exams in my final year.

"There’s a good balance here between academics and co-curricular, and I love the sense of being part of a family in my boarding house – we all look out for each other.”