A Level Results Day 2026
Superb Outcomes at SWCHS
Students and staff at Saffron Walden County High School are celebrating on A level results day. Over 100 A* or Starred Distinction grades were achieved by students this year. 50 students gained at least 1 A*, with 13 students achieving at least 1 Starred Distinction in Vocational qualifications. 6 individuals swept the board with at least 3 A*s.
Two sets of twins performed brilliantly: Alexandra and Meg Follows are both excited to be taking up places at Cambridge and Oxford respectively, as a result of their stellar results. Alexandra will be studying Medicine and said, “I am so grateful to the sixth form team and to my sister for always pushing me to be better." Meg, who will study Geography, added, “I am really proud of all our hard work and grateful for the support and dedication of our teachers. The boat race will be really interesting!”
Similarly, Matthew and Hamish Frew are both now studying Economics at their first-choice universities of UCL and Bristol, as a result of their exceptional grades. “We’re ready to make a change,” said Matthew.
Successful graduates of the sixth form’s 3-year programme include Ruth Gill, who achieved two Distinctions in CTec Art and who made a wonderful contribution to the school, particularly her work at the Agricultural Science Unit. Ruth is now heading off to Hertfordshire University to study Model Design and Special Effects.
The school team is proud of Ediz Turnalar, who contributed so much to Sixth Form community and will now be continuing to follow his passions for performance at Norwich University of Arts.
A number of students were also successful in being offered highly-competitive Apprenticeships: Alyssa Glynn, who will be taking a Degree Apprenticeship with Azets, said, “Moving to Saffron Walden County High was one of the best decisions I made. All the teachers are so ambitious and so caring, always providing constant support and encouragement. I enjoyed every moment. I would not be in the place I am and going to be without SWCHS!”
James Quinn, who is starting his Degree Apprenticeship at Barclays on Monday, says that he can’t wait and added, “I appreciate all the support I have received over the last 7 years at SWCHS.”
Ethan Honeyman will be taking a Degree Apprenticeship with Guy Carpenter and said, “Being a part of the SWCHS sixth form was an amazing experience as every teacher of mine always ensured high standards of learning whilst keeping it accessible for all. Whenever I had a problem, my teachers were a valuable support network who helped me with coursework and day-to-day business.”
Ruby Pichel, who is taking a Degree Apprenticeship in Policing with the Met Police, encouraged future students to just “keep trying”, even when things are tough.
Other top performers include Emily Campbell, who achieved 3 A*s (in Maths, Further Maths and Physics), as well as an A in Architecture. She will be studying Architectural Engineering at Sheffield. Reflecting on her results, Emily said, “If you put in consistent effort, something good is bound to happen.”
Another student who achieved 3 A*s was Keira Shaw, who was Essex captain at the English Schools athletics championships and is now taking up a scholarship at the University of San Francisco, studying Economics. “My teachers were amazing,” said Keira, “I owe so much to the support of all the SWCHS staff and it most definitely took a team and not just me to get these results. I’m absolutely thrilled to get to continue doing the things I love – running and Economics – out in the States.”
Matilda Kane, who achieved 2 A*s (in Psychology and Sociology) as well as a Distinction* in CTec Art and is going to study Psychology at Sheffield, said, “I loved studying my subjects at SWCHS and am very excited about going to Sheffield to continue studying Psychology.”
A number of students also achieved Starred Distinctions in at least 2 subjects, including Poppy Wiseman (in Tourism and CTec Business), who is heading to Harper Adams to study Enterprise and Land Management, and Faye Brown (with Starred Distinctions in Tourism and Health and Social Care). “My teachers were really helpful and I am grateful for their support,” said Faye, who is now applying to do a speech and language therapy course at university, on the back of these outcomes. Emma Goshawk (with Starred Distinctions in CTec Art and Digital Media and who will be studying Film Production at Norwich University of the Arts) added, “Thank you to all my teachers for putting in so much work so consistently.”
The following students also won places at Oxford or Cambridge this year: James Cameron (Classics at Clare, Cambridge), Jack Cook (Classics at Downing, Cambridge), Amelie Giggle (English at Peterhouse, Cambridge), Gabriella Holl (Law at St John’s, Cambridge) and Lily Arana Tagle (Classics with Arabic at St Hilda’s, Oxford) who said, “Linton raised me. Walden pushed me to the stars”. Jack, who benefitted from being able to take 4 subjects at SWCHS, said, “My experience at SWCHS has been incredible: wonderful teachers and a wonderful environment. It has taught me to put 100% into everything.” Amelie said, “I couldn’t be more grateful to the staff, friends and family who helped me get here.” Gabriella, who will be studying Law at Cambridge, said, “I’m channelling my inner Elle Woods! I’d also like to say thank you to all the friends and teachers who have supported me.”
Oscar Fleetwood is delighted to be studying Medicine at Manchester University next year and said, “I am grateful for all the teachers who have supported me.”
Headteacher Polly Lankester said, “We are absolutely delighted with this year’s results, and our students should be immensely proud of everything they have achieved. These fabulous results reflect not only the dedication and talents of our students but also the support of our staff, families, and the wider school community. We know our students are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and we wish the cohort of 2026 the very best as they take their next steps. They have been a fantastic year group who contributed so much to school life and we will really miss them.”
Amy Kennedy, Director of Sixth Form, added, “We are so pleased to see many students achieving competitive degree apprenticeships and employment opportunities on the back of their excellent results and hard work. This is an exciting and changing national picture for young people, and it is great to see them taking up these excellent opportunities. This, combined with fantastic university offers for the very vast majority of applicants, suggests that the future is very bright for this wonderful year group – they absolutely deserve it!”
Keira Shaw (Economics, with a sports scholarship, at the University of San Francisco)
Twins (left to right): Alexandra and Meg Follows (heading to Cambridge and Oxford) and Hamish and Matthew Frew (Bristol and UCL)
Oxbridge (left to right): Jack Cook, James Cameron, Amelie Giggle, Lily Arana Tagle, Alexandra Follows, Meg Follows, Gabriella Holl
Emily Campbell (3 A*s), James Quinn (Degree Apprenticeship at Barclays) and Matilda Kane (A*s in Psychology and Sociology and Distinction* in CTec Art)
Emma Goshawk (Starred Distinctions in CTec Art and Digital Media)