Class of 2023 – you have beaten the odds and achieved your aspirations. We take our hats off to you.

Another year group who has had to battle the ongoing effects of the pandemic, our Class of 2023 faced each challenge with true Grovian grit and determination. We are delighted that their hard work has been rewarded. Of our university applicants, approximately 90% have already achieved places at their university of choice; a small number of the remaining students are waiting to hear back from various establishments.

At The Grove, we know the importance of a truly all-round education and provide students with a myriad of opportunities, both academic and co-curricular. The Sixth Form at The Grove’s Pathway Programme takes this a step further, opening up the world of work and apprenticeships. All of this results in young people who know themselves, who are able to think outside the box and who understand that there are many ways to achieve your dreams. It is with great pride that we see our Class of 2023 stride out into the world, towards a wide range of aspirations, armed, not just with excellent exam results but with the great imagination, ambition and confidence imbued by a Grovian education.

Here are examples of just a handful of these extraordinary individuals:

Max Mackenzie not only achieved AAAB but has also won a place on the prestigious PWC Flying Start Programme, studying Business and Accounting at Newcastle University.

Molly Richardson – A*A*A* – is going on to study Fashion Management at University of The Arts, London

Rifqah Bibi – one of our amazing One In A Million Free School scholarship students – has walked away with three super A levels and an Accounts Apprenticeship with Bayfields Opticians

Sam Sui has recently made it home to Hong Kong for the first time in nearly 5 years of Covid disruption and is celebrating A*AB before he returns to Sheffield to study Biomedical Science, in pursuit of a career as a coroner.

Olivia Ranson achieved an outstanding result of A*A*A* and will be reading Natural Sciences at Durham.

Congratulations to you all – and to each and every one of our Class of 2023.

And finally, a message from Headmaster, Mr Lockwood:

‘Congratulations Class of 2023! You have overcome many challenges to get to where you are today and we are extremely proud of what you have achieved. I am sure you would like to join me in thanking our excellent teaching staff for their endless dedication and enthusiasm. Throughout your time with us, we have endeavoured to give importance to your individual strengths, motivations and talents, with the aim of building your self esteem. We have encouraged you to participate in a wide variety of co-curricular activities, alongside your academic studies because it is important to us to instil more than just academic excellence in our pupils. We want to fill you with confidence and resilience – preparing you for “real life” after school. I hope that these values and the memory of your time at The Grove will stand you in good stead as you move forward into a bright future. We wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the years to come.’

Thank you Class of 2023. It has been a pleasure and an honour.

I am an individual, yet I am part of something incredible.

I am Grovian.