IT HAS been an outstanding year in terms of academic performance for Bournemouth School for Girls, which bucked the national trend with its best-ever A-Level results.

At A-Level, 72 per cent of exams were passed at between A* and B grades and 100 per cent passed at A to E grades.

It was also an exceptional year at GCSE level, with 100 per cent of pupils meeting the national gold standard of 5 GCSEs at grades from A* to C.

But head teacher Alistair Brien stresses that the school is, “not just an exam factory”.

“We aim to provide fantastic opportunities for our students to grow as young people so they will go out in the wide world and make a difference,” he said.

He agrees there are many pressures on young women today.

“It’s hard being a teenager these days, but our pastoral care is second to none.

“Every girl is known to us. We don’t give up on anyone.

“I’m also really keen to instil the girls with resilience, as very often with bright young girls, everything has to be perfect.

“They need to know that it’s OK to make mistakes – the important part is learning how to pick yourself up and learn from them.”

According to the Sunday Times Parent Power survey, BSG was ranked 88th out of the top 500 state schools in the country.

The survey also ranks the school as the top-performing state school in the whole of Dorset and Hampshire.

“The exam headlines speak for themselves,” says Mr Brien.

“But what’s even more pleasing, is the personal triumphs of our students.

“I am particularly pleased that even girls who were not at school because of long-term illness, or who faced the most insurmountable odds, were able to achieve their best.

“It means BSG students leave the school able to attend the universities of their choice.

“Six of our students have been offered places at Oxford or Cambridge for next September.”

Looking to the future, Mr Brien says a new sports hall is next on his shopping list which is, he says, desperately needed.

He sums up by saying: “We aim to educate in the broadest sense, proving the widest range of opportunities in which our girls can engage and in many cases excel.

“A BSG education, is an education of the whole person.”

Factfile:

Bournemouth School for Girls, Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ

Telephone: 01202 526289

Email: Office@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk

Website: bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk

Twitter: @BSGupdate

Head teacher: Alistair Brien

Number of pupils: 1143

Age range: 11 to 18

Ofsted report: October 2012

Rating: Outstanding

What it said: “Students are motivated, inspired and enthused by an outstanding quality of teaching.”

Inspectors also commented on the “clear and visionary leadership from the headteacher”.

“The outstanding sixth form is characterised by high achievement, high recruitment and retention and by a set of highly articulate and determined young women,” it added.

“The students’ behaviour is nothing short of exemplary. They are considerate, courteous and polite and, as a result, the school is calm and welcoming.

“Parents and carers agree that this is an outstanding school that is led and managed extraordinarily well.”