‘There’s nothing wrong with being a nerd’ – Top university success at Wednesfield Academy
Students and staff at Wednesfield Academy are celebrating amazing A level results, with one particularly high flier off to read Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford.
Archie Wilkinson, 18, from Willenhall, said this about his Oxford success: “Some people might think they are held back by where they’re from and who they are but I kept thinking ‘How cool would it be if I did go?’. You’ve got to live your life based on what you find cool, not what’s cool to everyone else. There’s nothing wrong with being a nerd – embrace it! Be unafraid to be you and put yourself out there.”
Headteacher Joe Phillips said: “We could not be happier for Archie and all of our students who are off to the destinations of their dreams. We always say it’s vital to follow your interests and Wednesfield students have done that. Our young people are progressing to such an amazing array of degree courses, including Engineering, Pharmacy, Law, Forensic Investigation, Film-making, Fashion Marketing and Palaeontology. For students who have worked hard, the effort has really paid off. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank their families for everything they have done, including working with us to remove barriers to their children’s success.”
Archie achieved A*AB in his A levels and he wasn’t the only one to secure the highest grades. Havi Patel, 18, is progressing to the University of Manchester to study Computer Science having achieved A*AA. He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled with my results and that I’m now off to study Computer Science at Manchester. It’s the course I’ve always wanted to do.”
Wednesfield Academy’s overall A level results are, on average, more than a grade higher than last year’s. Wednesfield Academy was rated ‘Requires Improvement’ by Ofsted in November 2022. It joined Matrix Academy Trust soon afterwards. Since then, it has improved rapidly with Ofsted reporting from their June 2024 visit that “it is like a different school”.
