I have too many things I want to mention in my statement but not enough characters - how do I know what to miss out?

Your personal statement is the best place to show the admissions tutors what extra curricular things you do. All of your academic exam results will be included with your application when you have entered your GCSE results so do not waste characters mentioning this again. Another way to help you cut down is items which you may want included but are not of major importance can be mentioned in the statements from your supporting teachers if you ask them to include it. Use activities which you can expand on and explain what they have taught you, for example, Duke of Edinburgh taught you the importance of team work and forward planning.