They should be proud of what they have achieved” – Birkdale Head’s message as pandemic-impacted students receive A Level results Birkdale School is celebrating their students’ A Level success in results from the first year since 2019 when grades have been determined by external examinations. The School achieved a 100% pass rate overall 40% of all grades were at the highest A* or A with one in five pupils achieved a set of results with every grade at the highest A* or A 70% achieved results which were all at grades A* – B 80% of students have gained places to study at their first choice of university. At Birkdale, we are always proud to build firm foundations whatever our students aspire to. Among this year’s notable achievements across the Sixth Form: Four students gained places at either Oxford or Cambridge: Terrell, Veterinary Medicine (Downing College, Cambridge); Tom, Ancient and Modern History (University College, Oxford); Jonathan, Maths (St. Johns College, Cambridge) and Christian, Law (St. Johns, Oxford). Eight students will study a variety of Engineering disciplines, including: Mechanical; Electrical; Automotive and Civil. Four students – Alhasan, Khizr, Eshaan and Zayan – will go on to study Medicine. Our thriving performing arts programme has also shown significant achievements – Joel will study acting; Callum, Theatre; Maddie, French and Theatre (2023); Luke will study Music at Leeds Conservatoire and Esme will study Film (2023). We also have a number of students who have chosen design-based courses including Architecture, Interior Architecture and Graphic Design. Peter Harris, Birkdale School Head, said: “On behalf of our entire Birkdale family, I want to send my congratulations to our students on their results, especially as they have been among the worst impacted by the pandemic which changed all our worlds. “Having their GCSE examinations cancelled in 2020, and spending much of the first six months of their A Level studies working from home, the challenges have been immense – but so too has their perseverance, determination and resilience. Whatever the grades received today, they should be proud of what they have achieved. “As Ofqual and UCAS said earlier this week, it is not meaningful to compare this year’s results to those of 12 months ago, so it is important young people – and those in the world beyond – understand that, and celebrate the successes in what has been a period of turmoil.”

On 15th September, 20 Upper 6th Physics students and 4 teachers set off on a trip to Geneva, Switzerland for four days. This trip was very special as it was our first post covid international trip. There were a myriad of memorable experiences shared in Geneva. One of the key features being the factual knowledge gained in CERN from the ATLAS building, and the Globe Of Science and Innovation. We also had the exciting opportunity of meeting a Sheffield University PhD student who discussed with us the multiple research projects he is involved in at CERN. The trip also enriched us in Swiss culture and cuisine. It didn’t take much for our cohort to step out of their comfort zone and enjoy as much Fondue as Physics. We were thoroughly impressed by the guided tour of the UN headquarters and the Red Cross Museum. As well as seeing one of the few most important ethnographic museums in Switzerland. The boat trip across Lake Geneva and walking to the Jet d’Eau, gave us plenty of touristy moments we won’t forget. And thanks to Miss Dul’s linguistic skills the group were able to order 20 ice creams in all the Swiss flavours. All in all this was a very well organised trip and the teachers were brilliant. The trip went without a hitch thanks to Mr Clifford’s exceptional organisation skills. I think we all will remember the trip for the rest of our lives and I would highly recommend this trip to any future boys and girls doing physics! Written by Jannah, U6P

This is an incredibly sad day for The Royal Family, for our country and for us all. On behalf of the Birkdale family, I extend our sympathies to her family who have not just lost a beloved leader but a dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother. They are in my prayers. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I has been a loyal servant providing stability and support to so many for so long. She has, quite simply, always been there and I know many will find the fact we now have to face life without her, incredibly sad and incredibly difficult. In the coming days, we will remember Her Majesty across our school and join with those throughout our community and country mourning her loss.

Last Friday the entire School community came together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a Garden Party and BBQ. Friends of Birkdale School organised the event with a plethora of stalls and activities. These included: a fabulous cake stall; adopt a bear; face painting; bouncy pirate ship; craft activities; pin the tail on the corgi; name the bear and regal selfie booth to name but a few. There was also a regal bake off with some stunning entries and the ever popular stocks where our Head and Head of the Prep School got a soaking! Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event and to all of the kind volunteers who made it possible.