As the dust settles on ‘results season’ 2024, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment to reflect on the diverse paths our graduating students have chosen to embark on. But before we delve into their individual journeys, let’s provide some context.
When examination boards release student results in mid-August, the ensuing days transform into a time of reflection and celebration as we carefully review the data and engage in meaningful conversations with students about their next steps. After acknowledging this monumental achievement, we take the opportunity to publish statistics that summarise student outcomes through percentages and decimal figures. From mid-August to early September, we highlight these figures, proudly showcasing the accomplishments of our graduating cohort.
We recently published our A Level results, providing a great opportunity to celebrate our students' achievements. However, these figures alone do not fully capture the whole picture. Our graduating class comprised over 100 students, and Alice Smith School is proud to be a non-selective school. When considering these two factors together, it becomes evident that the overall achievements of KLASS graduates are outstanding..
However, it’s important to remember that while these statistics provide valuable insights, they do not capture each student’s extraordinary journey. We celebrate the wealth of opportunities that lie ahead for our students. Each individual story behind the data reflects unique aspirations, passions, and paths that contribute to a vibrant and diverse community at Alice Smith.
At Alice Smith School, every student is seen as an individual. We facilitate and guide students through their unique educational journeys and take pride in offering a programme that accommodates a breadth of interests and needs. Our students are encouraged to forge their own paths, expertly guided by experienced educators and a dedicated Higher Education team committed to helping each student achieve their desired outcomes.
Because of this personal investment in our students, we witness a remarkable array of dreams realised each year. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the diverse choices made by our 2024 graduating cohort and will explore the breadth of our students’ choices below.
Students Yet to Apply
While many of our 2024 graduates have already secured their places at universities, we also recognise that some students are still in the process of deciding their next steps, particularly those considering universities in Australia. The application timeline for Australian institutions typically runs from late August to early September. Our dedicated Higher Education Counselling team continues to provide guidance and support throughout this application process.
Choosing a gap year
Deciding to take a gap year is a significant choice for any student. There are often perceived internal and external pressures suggesting that breaks from formal education may be detrimental. However, research by Coetzee and Bester (2010) and Raibee and Naidoo (2016) indicates that students who take gap years often experience increased personal growth and enhanced skill acquisition, leading to greater confidence and more informed career decisions.
Seven students in our 2024 graduating cohort at KLASS have chosen to take gap years. Their maturity and confidence in making this decision deserve recognition, and we eagerly anticipate hearing their stories of growth and experience over the coming year.
Our Higher Education and Careers continue to support students throughout their gap year and are contactable at any time until they secure their place in their future education institution.
Following passions
The variety of courses our students chose and the breadth of locations they will study in highlight their confidence in pursuing their passions. Research by Sverdlik, Rahimi, and Vellerand (2021) shows that university students who demonstrate genuine passion for their chosen fields not only achieve stronger academic results but also experience improved well-being and self-efficacy.
Among our 2024 cohort, students will follow diverse passions such as studying Philosophy and Politics at Warwick (UK), Aerospace Engineering in Bristol (UK), Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences in Eindhoven (NL), Economics and International Relations in Madrid (ES), Animation in Kuala Lumpur (MY), and Biological Sciences in Southern California (US).
Navigating Competition
This article aims to celebrate the wide range of directions taken by our 2024 graduating cohort. We acknowledge that each student is unique; as a school, we invest in every individual and guide them on the journey that is right for them. For some students, this journey leads them to highly sought-after institutions - namely Ivy League schools in the US, Russell Group universities in the UK, and Go8 institutions in Australia. The competition for admission to these prestigious universities has never been fiercer.
Considering this context, we are immensely proud of our students who successfully secured places at these renowned universities. Our cohort includes eleven students entering QS Top 10 universities globally, three pursuing medicine in Europe, six meeting entry requirements for Oxbridge, and an impressive 68% of the total group entering Russell Group universities.
No matter where your child’s journey may lead, Alice Smith is committed to guiding them on their path to individual success.
