Students rise to the challenge
Students across Bath and North East Somerset whose studies have once again been interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic were this week praised for their resilience as they received their A-level results.
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for children, young people, communities and culture, said: “Once again, this has been an incredibly challenging year for our children and young people in school. I would like to thank all schools for the support they have provided to our students this year.
“I would also like to congratulate all students on their achievements. Many students will now be looking ahead to decide what next for their future. Bath and North East Somerset schools always perform strongly in examination results, so I am enormously excited for all those students taking the next steps in their lives.
“For those students whose results aren’t what you expected, please don’t panic or worry – there are lots of options available to you. Take advantage of the wealth of advice and support available – your school or college will be able to signpost you to the most appropriate service for your needs.”
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse said: “A huge well done to all Bath students getting A-level results. You should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved in such a challenging couple of years. Whatever your results, I hope you are excited about the future. If you are joining the University of Bath, Bath Spa University or Bath College then you have made a great choice. Bath has so much to offer and we can’t wait to welcome you to the city.”
St Gregory’s, Bath
Headline figures show that students at St Gregory’s Bath secured the highest standards at A level with 49% achieving A*-A grades and 87% securing A*-C grades, ensuring that students secure the optimum grades and Ucas points for entry to university, higher level apprenticeship or chosen career pathway.
Ann Cusack, headteacher at Saint Gregory’s, has applauded students for their positivity and dedication throughout their studies.
She said: “I am immensely proud of all our sixth-form students. They have worked so hard over the past two years and deserve their excellent results. These young people have demonstrated enormous resilience and talent, adapting their learning and study skills to suit changing dynamics. They have shown the determination to succeed, despite enormous pressure and uncertainty.
“Our Year 13 students have been fantastic role models and are now moving on to the next stage and phase of their education. We will miss them enormously in September but are delighted with their hard-earned success.”
Oldfield School
An Oldfield School statement said: “As with all students across the country, our Year 13 cohort have had an extremely disrupted year and we are enormously proud of the resilience and determination to succeed they have all shown during this difficult time.
“They responded to the challenges of school-based assessments brilliantly: 40% of all results were A*-A and 88% of results were grades C or above.”
Hayesfield Sixth Form
More than half of the grades awarded at Hayesfield Sixth Form were at A*-A standard.
Catherine Trueman, director of sixth form, said: “What is most pleasing is how many students have been able to achieve the outstanding results that they richly deserve. Teaching through a mixture of inperson and online lessons has been a huge learning curve for both staff and students, but the students have shown great maturity and determination and it’s really felt like we were working as one united team.”
Emma Yates, executive head teacher said: “This cohort of students have shown how young people have had to quickly adapt to the many changes that have taken place in schools over the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They have taken many challenges in their stride and used these experiences to grow their resilience and determination to succeed. Staff and students have worked together to make the most of these difficult times and I am thrilled that the pandemic hasn’t stopped our students achieving their ambitions.”
Over half of the grades awarded were at A*-A standard and the following students achieved outstanding results: ■ 3A* 1A: Thomas Kelsh ■ 3A*1B: Fleur Baker ■ 3A*: Maddie Quin, Amelia Prichard, Elsa Lang, Maggie Jones, Noor Jabban, Bethan Horobin, Amelia Flood, Leo Feasby
■ 2A*2A: Emily George, Marina Lyndon, Isabel Haig, Bea Coleman
Ralph Allen School
Ralph Allen School head teacher Andy Greenhough said: “We are extremely proud of the hard work and effort that has led to their achievement, especially after another difficult year. Our teachers and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure students are able to progress onto further education and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.
“Additionally, I would like to congratulate the sixth form team, their support for students has helped them through the last two years and prepare them for their next steps.
“Finally, I would like to congratulate all the students for how they have dealt with this whole process. You have been awesome. It has been a pleasure to work with you.”
Headline figures at Ralph Allen School in Bath:
■ 61% of the grades were A*-A
■ 85% of grades were A*-B
■ 95% of the grades were A*-C
Prior Park College
Prior Park is delighted with the performance of its U6 students, with a 100% pass rate and over 90% getting their first choice university.
The school’s international students deserve tremendous credit for having to overcome additional obstacles. Many were unable to return to school as the borders closed and had to cope with learning online, in different time zones and with varying Wi-fi reliability, as Trinity Momoh experienced at home in Nigeria. This did not prevent her from getting excellent grades and Trinity is going to King’s College London to study law.
Gabriella Chiu has been away from Hong Kong for over 12 months but was rewarded with an outstanding set of results, A*A*A, and is now going to do a flexible combined honours degree at Exeter, focusing on philosophy. Laura Stotesbury, deputy head academic, said: “The last 18 months have been particularly turbulent for those students due to sit exams this summer with lockdowns, remote learning, and uncertainty after the Government announced was scrapping normal
it exams.
“Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGS) are a stringent and fair replacement in these circumstances, and Prior Park was rigorous in its management of this system. Students sat three sets of internal exams and produced reams of evidence to support their proposed grades, which was forwarded to awarding bodies for checking.
“The resulting grades are impressive and are very much down to the resilience and hard work of our sixth form students.”
All BTEC business students received impressive grades, but a special mention must go to Niall Hudson who achieved Distinction* Distinction*, which equates to 2 A*s at A level. Niall is going on to Queen Mary’s London to study business.
Congratulations also to Charlie Parker on her selection for a British Telecom degree apprenticeship. Charlie gained one of only seven places on offer for a global division apprenticeship, based at BT’S new offices in Bristol. As part of Charlie’s apprenticeship, she will study for a degree in business at Middlesex University, paid for by BT.
Headmaster Ben Horan said: “There are, of course, some wonderful, individual success stories. However, that this year group sat exams which have properly prepared them for their next steps to university is a sign that they have all succeeded in overcoming the adversity that faced them. We could not be more proud of them.”