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Schools express pride in students on A Level Results Day
10/08/2021
“The students’ resilience, maturity and work ethic has been truly inspiring”
It’s A Level results day and students have been collecting their results. Three of our local schools have described their pride and delight at their student’s achievements
For the second year running young people discovered how well they had done without having sat end-of-year exams. Students were awarded their grades based on teacher assessments with a range of evidence used from mock exams, coursework and other work completed during the year, such as essays or in-class tests.
At Wykham Park Academy it was an occasion to celebrate with student’s grades reflecting their hard work and perseverance despite the turmoil caused by the pandemic. 100% of the students achieved a grade from A*-E with 42% achieving either an A or A*.
Carly Berry, Head of Sixth Form at Wykham Park, said: ‘’We are extremely proud of our Year 13 students this academic year. Despite the many challenges they have faced, they have achieved outstanding results and that is down to sheer hard work and commitment over the last two years.
‘’The students’ resilience, maturity and work ethic has been truly inspiring. Our staff have also worked incredibly hard, whether at school or through online learning, to ensure the highest quality of teaching across the two years. Our students are moving on to many exciting opportunities.
“Some of our students are heading to their first-choice university and some students are taking up excellent apprenticeship opportunities.
“I am so pleased that despite the pandemic and the challenges it has brought, our sixth form continues to thrive and students have a first-class experience that enables them to move on to their chosen next step. We look forward to hearing all about their adventures.’’
Wykham Park Academy student James Blunden, 18, achieved AAA* and is moving on to study Medicine at Newcastle University whilst Scarlett Reading, 18, achieved AB Dist and will be heading to King’s College London to study Children’s Nursing.
James Blunden said: ‘’The pandemic has definitely made it more difficult. Online learning and remote learning are not the same as being in a classroom.
“It has been pretty tough but I still managed to get through it and I learnt something about my learning style. Over the first lockdown I learnt how to discipline myself and saw my work ethic increasing over that period.
“We had the support of teachers which was good and I think teacher-assessed grades was a sensible option to take for awarding grades.
‘’I’m now looking forward to going on to study medicine at Newcastle University.
“I enjoy science and problem-solving and medicine allows me to do both. The day-to-day life of a doctor and helping patients also appeals to me.’’
Scarlett Reading said: ‘’It has definitely been tough because of all the disruption but with the rest of my cohort we have managed it really well and finished our courses to the end.
“The pandemic has forced me to become more resilient. We haven’t had teachers looking over our shoulders and it’s shown me that when I want to get something done, I can do it. I’m even more proud of all that I have achieved because of the circumstances.
“I know that for my friends having your grades determined by one exam is very stressful but this time around with teacher assessed grades it feels like a complete assessment and a chance to show what we can do.
“I spent so much time at my desk and took responsibility for my learning that I think it has helped me to prepare for university: the pandemic has taught me to be a bit more independent and self-reliant when it comes to my learning.
“I can’t wait to start my course. I get a major sense of pride and passion from being able to help people. I’ve spent a lot of time with children, cousins and family and things, and I enjoy looking after them and helping them.’’
At the Warriner School in Bloxham the school says they are pleased to report some outstanding achievements by their A level students this summer.
Sharon Nicholls, Head of School, said: “We have had a very positive morning. We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”
At the North Oxfordshire Academy the Principal Alison Merrills was very pleased with her students’ performance.
She said: ‘We are delighted with how well our Year 13 students have done. After such a tough year, we are extremely proud of them and how they have approached their studies; students have secured some fantastic university destinations this morning including University of Oxford, Warwick, Birmingham and Nottingham.
“We are excited for what the future holds for all of our Year 13 students.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam