A-Level delight for Valley students
THERE were plenty of smiles as students across Rossendale opened their teacher-assessed A-Level results on Tuesday morning.
For the second year in a row, examinations were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Grades were instead assessed by teachers and decided via a five-stage process.
The number of A-Level students receiving top grades nationwide reached a record high with 44.8 percent of candidates receiving an A or A*, up from 38.5 percent in 2020.
Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School headteacher Alan Porteous said: “Congratulations to our Year 13 students who receive their A-level results today! Our students have shown huge resilience and commitment in responding to the challenges that they have faced over the past 18 months and the results that they have achieved reflect their efforts. We wish them every success as they move on to the next stage of their lives.”
Burnley College students achieving exceptional grades included Maisy Vasic, 18, from Bacup, who is reading Geography at the University of Oxford after achieving A*A*A in A-Level Geography, Geology and Computer Science. Also Isabelle Passmore, 18, from Crawshawbooth, who is reading Law at the University of York, achieved A*A*A* in A-Level English Language, Law and Sociology.
Students from Accrington and Rossendale College are celebrating an outstanding 100 per cent Advanced Vocational pass rate. Seven Sport students achieved top grades in their Level 3 studies and are progressing on to university - Lydia Main, Becky Holden, Lucas Eastham, Finlay Anderson, Benjamin Langley, former All Saints’ RC High pupil Ruby Cornwall, and Hannah Harrison.
Becky, 18, is progressing on to Liverpool John Moores University to study Sport Psychology as she pursues a career as sports psychologist. She said: “College was definitely more independent which was perfect for me as it allowed me to work more efficiently and the standard of my work was also significantly better.”
Lydia will study the new Sport Coaching and Performance degree at Accrington and Rossendale College University, awarded by Liverpool John Moores University.
She said: “My ambition is work at the highest level in whichever area of sport I choose to pursue my career in.”
Rossendale resident Ruksaan Ali, 19, obtained outstanding results from Abbey College Manchester where she discovered she had achieved an A* in Biology and A* in Chemistry. She will now take her talents to study Medicine at The University of Leicester.
At ag6, part of Alder Grange School, Billie Harris picked up A-Levels in Law, Sociology, English Language and History to gain herself a place studying Law at University of Glasgow.
She said: “My family are from Scotland so I can’t wait to move up there and study in such a beautiful city. I’m not sure exactly what type of future role I’d like to progress into just yet, but definitely something in the legal profession.”
Rhea Kellar studied History, Law and English Literature, and will now go on to do a degree course in Archaeology and Heritage at University of York.
“I’ve been interested in history from an early age and can’t wait to continue to learn and read more around the subject at university,” she said.
Jack Shiers studied English Literature, History, French, Applied Science and Extended Project and will now move on to study for a Masters degree in French at Lancaster University.
As a talented drummer, Jack also plays in a band in his spare time and enjoyed taking part in music concerts at the school and sixth form.
Millie Hardiker studied Health and Social Care, as well as Sport, and obtained grades to secure a place at Manchester Metropolitan University studying Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher so I’m really pleased to get the grades I need to move on to university to qualify,” said Millie.
Minaz Rahman picked up excellent grades in Biology, Chemistry,
Maths and Extended Project and now plans a short break before applying to study medicine at university.
He said: “I’m delighted with my grades, which are higher than I expected. After a gap year I’m hoping to study medicine so that I can later move into Oncology or Forensic Pathology.”
Nifa Rahman studied Psychology, Biology and English Language and will now progress on to University of Manchester to study Psychology.
Sophie Wright, 18,
embarks on a career in nursing, after achieving grades which will see her take an Adult Nursing course at Edge Hill University later this year.
“I am really, really happy with my results, especially after I struggled with my mental health through the pandemic, but things like Google Meet with teachers during this time have been such a supportive lifeline,” she said.
Amy Pilling collected A-Levels in Psychology, English Literature and Applied Science, and a place at The University of Liverpool to study Architecture awaits.
Amy Robinson achieved a place studying Criminology at UCLAN and hopes to go into the police force with a special interest in helping victims of crime.
“I cried out of happiness when I opened my results,” she said.
Hannah Ward, 18, studied Media, Graphics and Maths and has earned a place at The University of Salford to study Media and Performance.
“I love watching films as a hobby and the world of media really excites me, so being able to pursue this now at University will hopefully turn my passion into a career,” said Hannah.
Jessica Morrisey is moving to Cambridge University to read Natural Sciences thanks to some incredible A-Level results in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
She said: “I am very happy with my results and so relieved. I can’t wait to move to Cambridge as I really love the city itself and Natural Science gives me the freedom to explore the science subjects I like at a further level.”
Cameron Edwards, 18, studied Business, Product Design and History and has secured his place at Edge Hill University to study Business and Management.
He said: “I am significantly more excited about my results than I had expected to be but I suppose it just goes to show that you get out what you put in.”
Miraj Hussen, 18, has set his sights on a career in Health Psychology after an impressive set of results in his A-Level and B-Tech exams in Biology, Psychology and Applied Science, along with an Extended Project which focused on the effects of mental health for young people on learning during lockdown.
He said: “I am really happy with my results – I worked hard for them and the hard work has paid off.”
More pics on p6, plus more exams coverage in next week’s paper.