Today we are immensely proud of our Year 13 students, who have worked through one of the most challenging of times in education this country has ever seen. Today these students are picking up their A Level, Level 3 BTEC and Cambridge Technical qualifications. The closure of schools and the cancellation of the summer examination series has meant that, unlike other years, grades received by the students this year have been awarded through a calculation using teacher predictions (Centre Assessed Grades) and a moderation process used by Ofqual, who regulate examinations and standards. A full explanation of how grades have been awarded can be found in this helpful guide from Ofqual which was send out and is on our website. 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/907493/Student_Guide_Summer_2020_6.8.2020_12.30.pdf

Despite all the challenges of this year our students have shown extraordinary resilience and dedication to improve on last summer’s examination results. Whilst results remain provisional at this stage, with an appeals process and autumn resit series in place for students, we are pleased to see improvements across a number of key measures. Almost a third of students gained A*-B across all subjects, with 97% of students achieving A*-E. In our vocational subjects 71% of students got the top grades of a Distinction * or a Distinction with 96% gaining a Merit or above and a 100% pass rate. 

Neil Warner, Director of Education (Secondary) for the ATLP, said “Whilst this year is truly unprecedented in our education system, one overriding feature remains. These results represent the culmination of great dedication, hard work and perseverance from our young people. Results are not just the end product of a two or three hour examination, they represent years of preparedness and we congratulate every single one of our students.

Ian Smith-Childs, Headteacher, said “We are incredibly proud to have seen these students work do hard and overcome all the challenges of this year. The 2020 cohort of Year 13 are a special group of students who we wish every success in their futures.’ The hard work of our students has enabled them to go onto their chosen destinations, with the majority of students attending their first choice universities or colleges, with a third of students attending Russell Group universities. A fifth of our students have secured high quality apprenticeships and some students have gone into employment.