Performing Arts Excellence

This should have been the time that Sixth Form students across the country began their study leave in preparation for their A Level examinations. With Covid-19 causing the unprecedented cancellation of exams, some have found their future plans thrown into turmoil. However, many of the QM UVI secured their offers for a place at university before the coronavirus outbreak began and now look forward to the certainty of a bright future ahead in an otherwise uncertain landscape.

Proving our strengths in the arts, three girls have offers for the Royal Drawing School, London whilst another is heading to Milan to study a Fashion Foundation course. Meanwhile, the School’s first student to study a Music Technology A Level, Poppy Wood, has been accepted into Leeds College of Music next year to study Popular Music Production. Being accepted into a conservatoire to study in a very male dominated industry is no mean feat and Director of Music, Sam Horseman, says “competition for the places was very high but Poppy’s excellent portfolio ensured she was accepted and means she will have access to world class studios and musicians as she hones her craft throughout her degree.”

The girls’ future plans show that they are just as likely to pursue a career in the all-important STEM subjects, with many having already been accepted at prestigious Russell Group universities. Human Sciences at Oxford, Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Nottingham, Medicine at Bristol, Veterinary Science at Liverpool and Chemistry with Mathematics at UCL are all courses which are set to welcome QM girls in September – yet more shining examples of how QM pupils are paving the way for females in traditionally male dominated industries.

Claire Rhodes, Deputy Head (Academic) commends the girls and their future plans; “The girls’ attitude to learning is excellent and they are highly motivated to succeed. For so many girls to have secured such excellent places during this otherwise uncertain time is testament to this. We aim to unleash creativity and innovation here at QM and the exciting subjects the girls will go onto study show we’re doing just that.”