Friday 25 August 2017

25 August 2017

Sixth Form students in the Girls' Division had plenty to celebrate on A Level Results Day this year. The percentage of papers graded A*-B and A*-C improved, and 42.4% of grades were at either A* or A!

Boys' Division Sixth Form students celebrated an excellent crop of A Level Results as well. The number of A*-C grades rose to 91.5%, from 89.1% the previous year, and 40% of passes were at A* or A grade.

Fourteen students in total achieved the grades needed to accept their Oxbridge offers, and there were many more individual success stories on A Level Results Day.


On GCSE Results Day, pupils in the Boys' Division discovered that they had performed outstandingly as a year group and there were lots of happy faces in the Great Hall. This year saw a significant rise in the percentage of A* and A grades, from 52.7% to 57%! There was also an increase in the percentage of papers graded A*-C. Nine boys achieved nine or more A* grades.

Pupils in the Girls' Division also had an excellent set of results, which included English Language and English Literature grades in the new numbers system. 21.2% of grades in those two subjects were at either level 8 or 9. Every girl at Bolton School Girls’ Division achieved at least 5 A*-C grades (9-4), with nearly 60% of all grades being at A* or A (or 9-7). Thirteen girls received nine or more A* or 8/9 grades.


Earlier in the holidays, Three students in the Sixth Form walked from Grenfell Tower to Manchester Arena to raise funds for those affected by the fire and the bombing. They covered almost 200 miles in just six days! They have so far raised just over £2,000 with a goal of £3,600 - help them reach their target by donating at the JustGiving page.


Over the summer, eighteen Boys' and Girls' Division pupils went on a "once in a lifetime" trip to Dominica to take part in biodiversity research with Operation Wallacea. Over the two weeks, students worked in a terrestrial forest camp, enjoyed a volcanology or canyoning day, and took part in a marine ecology week. They worked with lizards, birds, invertebrates, bats and a host of marine life, and even had the opportunity to go spear-fishing for invasive lionfish!


Pupils in the Boys' Division also went on a cricket tour of the Caribbean and participated in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament. See a gallery of photos from their trip here.

Back at School, children taking part in the three-day Netball Roadshow run by Activate Sport had the exciting chance to learn from England player Rebekah Airey. She spent a whole day with the girls, putting them through their paces and giving coaching advice. She also talked about her experience playing netball for England.


The Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy also had a star visit from Lancashire bowler Simon Kerrigan. The boys taking part in this programme, which is also run by Activate Sport, thoroughly enjoyed meeting Simon and hearing his tips and tricks as part of the five-day progamme.

As the summer term came to an end, Boys' Division biology teacher Mr Teasdale attended the international Science on Stage festival. He was there to present a slime mould project jointly created with Dutch teacher Hans Mulder, and their efforts were Highly Commended by the judges! In addition to showing off their project with a stand, Mr Teasdale and Mr Mulder gave a workshop to interested teachers.


Eight Girls' Division students at the end of last year received Copper Awards in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. They sat this extra test straight after their AS Level exams and received their awards based on attainment.


The children at Beech House were excited to meet two police horses, who visited school along with their riders. Pupils learned more about the important work these animals do to help keep everyone safe.


The winners of the Junior Girls' Photography Competition were announced in the final assembly of the year. The theme was 'My Favourite View' and produced a wide variety of images. Judging fell to Old Boy and photography expert Mark Power, who was very impressed by the high standard. The overall winner was a moving photo of the tributes to the Manchester Arena bombing victims in St Ann's Square.