Diocese of Chichester

At Bishop Luffa School in Chichester, six students achieved a remarkable 20 A* grades between them at A-level. The school bucked national trends by maintaining a broad curriculum, offering 32 different courses, resulting in more students studying for degrees in Arts subjects.

Head Teacher Austen Hindman praised students going into caring professions, saying: "It is a source of deep pride to see a number of students going on to study Nursing & Midwifery, Medicine and veterinary science. These impressive young people already know that helping others, although tough, can be ultimately more rewarding than focusing on yourself."

Mr Hindman commended the entire year group for their resilience in the face of challenges like social media pressures, COVID lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis.

At St Catherine's College in Eastbourne, students achieved impressive results across the board. English and Maths had 80% pass rates at grades 9-4, while several subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Art and Music saw over 90% pass rates. Headteacher Solomon Berhane congratulated pupils and staff on their hard work, also thanking parents for their support. "Together, as a community, we celebrate these achievements and look forward to the continued success of our students," he said.

Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings saw strong improvements, with 59% of A-level grades at A*-B and 100% of BTEC grades at Distinction*-Distinction. Over 70% of graduates are heading to university, with 63% securing places at top third institutions. The school thanked The Villiers Park Education Trust for supporting students throughout sixth form.

Steyning Grammar School reported excellent outcomes enabling students to pursue university study or desired careers. Over a quarter of A-level and Applied grades were A*/A, with 45% at A*-B.

Standout subjects included Photography, Sports, Politics and English. Headteacher Adam Whitehead said: "We look forward to watching our Sixth Form alumni go on to study at universities of their choice, as well as undertaking apprenticeships or entering the world of work – whatever their next steps we know they will take with them their learnings and experiences during their time with us."

Holy Trinity School in Crawley celebrated achievements across the board. Head of Sixth Form Mr Berry noted students valued sharing successes with staff and peers. Students are progressing to a range of universities, including Russell Group institutions, to study subjects like Accounting & Finance, Film, Medicine and Data Science. Head of School Rob Bradley congratulated the entire cohort, saying: "Their hard work, commitment and perseverance means that they are all fully deserving of the results they have gained. Within the cohort there are many individual success stories, with some who have achieved despite facing challenging individual circumstances."

King's School in Hove celebrated its best ever set of results. Head Teacher Sarah Price reported exceptionally strong performance in English and Maths, as well as excellent results across triple science and EBacc subjects. "I am delighted for a wonderful cohort of students and for our very hard working and committed staff. Plenty to celebrate and give thanks for," she said. These results reflect the dedication of students and staff across Sussex's church schools. Despite recent challenges, pupils have shown remarkable resilience and achieved impressive outcomes. As they move on to universities, apprenticeships and careers, these young people carry with them not just academic success, but values of service and community instilled by their schools.

The achievements from across church schools in Sussex pan a range of subjects, from traditional academic disciplines to creative and vocational fields. This diversity reflects each schools' commitment to nurturing individual talent and aspiration with results opening doors to exciting future opportunities. Whether pursuing further study or entering the workforce, this year's cohort will be well-prepared for their next steps. As the new academic year approaches, these results provide inspiration for younger students. They demonstrate what can be achieved through hard work, resilience and supportive school communities - qualities that will continue to serve these young people well in their future endeavours.

Pictured: From Steyning Grammar school - Isabelle (far right), who achieved three distinctions in her applied qualifications in sport, health and
social care.