Reaping the rewards
After an unprecedented year, Kennet pupils achieve excellent grades
KENNET School celebrated another excellent set of A-level results and was proud of pupils who had achieved grades in tough year of cancelled exams and teacher assessed grades.
Head boy James Trenaman opened five A*s and will be studying philosophy, politics and ethics at Oxford University.
He said: “It actually felt quite different to what I was expecting it to be like studying at home.
“I was confident being assessed, I knew that everything went towards a formal grade.
“Overall I did like it. You get out what you put in.
“I think it is not right to say people have inflated grades. I think employers might not value it, but we are working to the next step.
“Till now I have studied really hard but now I have the grades.”
Esme Lister opened two A*s in history and psychology and an A in English literature. She will be heading to Exeter to study law.
She said: “I’m over the
moon, especially after the turbulent year we have had it’s nice to know that the hard work has paid off.
“Even if the grades are inflated it still feels good to go through that and come out with good results.
“It’s been incredibly hard. The teachers have been so incredibly helpful.
“It shows that if you take advantage of it, the help is there to help you get the best grades.
“My parents told me try not to look at the news. We know we deserve it and we can be really happy with our grades, just don’t let it get to you.
“Just try and focus on my own grades and whatever happens happens.”
Kate Burfield got two Distinction* and one Distinction in BTEC business.
She said: “I feel pretty good about it. I really enjoyed doing the BTEC. It was the best decision I made - it was less exams, more coursework, which I am much better at. I am really pleased.
“It has been difficult, my mum became very ill, I had distractions. All the teachers were so helpful it was good of them to let me have time off and come back.
“It has been a mad year with a lot of stress, it all feels like it has been non-stop now.”
Other top performing pupils were Nathan Evans four A*s, Oliver Bazin, three A*s A, Kian Lush, Holly Polding three A*s A, Noah Braovac three A*s, William Greasley three A*s B, Aimann Harba three A*s B, Ryan Holmes three A*s, Hasan Shahzad three A*s, Lara Phillips three Distinction*s.
Executive headteacher Gemma Piper said: “The academic year has, of course, not been without challenge for our pupils, yet they have drawn on the values at the heart of Kennet School and shown exceptional resilience, endeavour and courage as the process of awarding grades changed.
“Our Teacher Assessed Grade process was robust and rigorous and has enabled our staff to award fair and just grades to all our pupils.
“We congratulate Year 13 on a set of excellent results and wish them well as they journey into their next steps in life.
“Recognition must also go to the staff, both teachers and administration, as they have worked tirelessly to ensure the right grades are achieved by our pupils.”