QUEEN’S COLLEGE TOPS THE TABLES
Queen’s College Taunton has topped the tables locally for A*A and B grades over the past ten years
making it one of the top schools in the South West.
71% of all A Level papers at Queen’s College were graded A* A and B with an impressive 17%
awarded the top A* grade. 40% were awarded A* and A grades and 88% were A* - C. All
successful Oxford and Cambridge candidates were able to confirm their Oxbridge places this
morning.
Dogged determination sets Somerset student on path to Cambridge
17 year old Penny Banks from Honiton has managed to secure a place at Girton College Cambridge
to read Land Economy despite being dyslexic, dyspraxic and suffering from handwriting issues.
Penny, who gained three A*s in her Maths, Economics and Physics A Levels, joined Queen’s College
as an academic scholar in Year 9 and has received excellent support from the school’s learning
development unit, giving her the tactics and practical help to help deal with her problems with coordination and thought processes.
“I can’t think in a straight line” said Penny “and find it really difficult to write fluidly but the support
at school has really made a difference. I was finding it really difficult to concentrate in exams and
now wear ear plugs – something I would never have thought of – so that I can sub vocalise better
and block out any exterior sounds”.
Penny played a key role, joining with comedian David Walliams to call on the Prime Minister to end
global hunger, as part of the national If Campaign. Penny met David Cameron at 10 Downing Street
in June and presented him with a six-foot plate, a symbol of global hunger, ahead of the G8 summit
on which were over 1,000 signatures from people pledging their support. The plate was so
impressive it was subsequently taken by Oxfam to the rally in Hyde Park and then onto a Dublin and
is currently still touring the country.
Penny has also achieved two gold medals this year. She was awarded Gold in the UK Maths
Challenge, a national competition of the top mathematicians in the UK and a worthy achievement
for someone who has their sights set on the City as a career. In addition, Penny was the only girl in
her year group to complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award which included spending a term
tutoring bottom Maths set Year 8 students as well as scaling Scafell Pike. She is also a keen
fundraiser and organised a Britain’s Got Talent at Queen’s College raising money for the Piers Simon
Appeal and packed 300 backpacks full of items for schoolchildren from under developed countries
herself.
“I am so excited about going to Cambridge this autumn and cannot wait to get stuck into my
course” said Penny. When I read about Land Economy I found it so much more interesting and
broader than straight Economics and I was impressed that Girton was the only College to ask for
Maths as a required A Level. I know that my parents are really proud that despite my learning
difficulties I have managed to gain a place at the top university in the country.”
Said Headmaster Chris Alcock: “Reflecting on what our students have attained shows what a
rounded education we offer here at Queen’s College. Not only have they gained excellent academic
results, these pupils have been empowered to achieve personal excellence and really follow their
aspirations.
“Here at Queen’s College we want to enable young men and women such as these to have the life
skills as well as the academic results they need to pursue the careers of their choice and to go on to
top universities or straight into a career. Small class sizes, inspirational teaching and a supportive
and aspirational environment really does make the difference.”
ENDS
15 August 2013
Issued by Queen’s College. For further information please contact Queen’s College marketing
department on hcl@queenscollege.org.uk or sjc@queenscollege.org.uk, by mobile on 07541
385401 or telephone 01823 340805.
Pictured: Pictured: Penny Banks at the UK Maths Challenge and outside the Houses of Parliament
lobbing David Cameron as part of the If Campaign.
Notes to Editors
If you would like to interview, film or take pictures any of the pupils please do contact us and
come to our brand new Sixth Form Centre at Queen’s College today at 10am , Thursday 15 August
2013, to see the pupils opening their results.
Queen’s College Taunton is a co-ed day and boarding school for pupils aged 3-18 years. Situated on
a 40 acre campus in the heart of Taunton in Somerset, the school is very well equipped with the
largest theatre in Somerset, brand new Sixth Form Centre, Music School, swimming pool and fitness
suite, Creative Arts Centre, DT Centre and extensive sports grounds.