CELEBRATIONS were on the timetable for many Worcester students as the nervous wait for A-Level results came to an end.
Exam results were revealed with city students discovering whether they had secured the grades they needed to progress to life at university.
The Coronavirus pandemic saw all A-Level exams axed meaning the grades receivedC today (Thursday) were based on in-school assessments which were then moderated by the exam watchdog
Because of the pandemic, education chiefs at Worcestershire County Council supported by Worcestershire Children First have undertaken not to collect and publish school level data.
As a result, schools across the city were not required to release results for students and the school overall.
Despite this a number of city schools revealed their results and Neil Morris, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College, criticised the moderation process and claimed 75 of his students had seen their results downgraded. The long serving head vowed the school would appeal the results.
His thoughts were echoed by Worcester Sixth Form College principal Ed Senior who stressed he didn’t want the unusual circumstances in which grades were awarded to undermine any student’s sense of achievement.
“Young people, supported by their teachers and other college staff, have worked really hard for their success and have had to overcome the most challenging circumstances,” he said.
“My thoughts today however are with those students who, through no fault of their own, have had their grades unfairly reduced by Ofqual’s algorithm.
“I share their sense of injustice and the college will do everything it can to support students in challenging this.
After such a challenging time for everyone, RGS Worcester students were relieved to achieve impressive A Level and BTEC examination results this year.
Almost every student achieved their chosen university place and six students were awarded three or more A* grades at A Level: Jack Beasley, Sam Chamberlain, Nicholas Fearon, George Garrity, Jemma Moseley and Alex Peake.
George Garrity’s three A* will ensure he can take up his place to read History at Cambridge University. His achievements are all the more impressive after he took on the starring role in the school’s production of Les Misérables before the pandemic.
Jemma Moseley achieved three A* and an A while twins Nicholas and Elizabeth Fearon achieved three A* grades and an a A* and two As respectively.
Headmaster John Pitt, said: “It has been very difficult for this year’s students across the country and we are delighted that RGS students have achieved impressive grades and are now well set for the next chapter of their lives.
“They missed the chance to prove their ability in the exams but this should take nothing away from all their hard work and enjoyment of school life. I am very proud of how they have coped and what they have achieved at RGS, and they are ready for their exciting futures ahead.”
King’s students are celebrating an excellent set of A-Level results with 45 per cent of results at A* or A, 73 per cent graded A* to B and 90 per cent at A* to C.
A total of 80 per cent of pupils have secured their first choice university and acting headmaster Jon Ricketts praised the students on their achievements.
“I’d like to congratulate all students on their outstanding academic success and for their diligent application over the past two years of their courses. I have been very impressed with the way they have dealt with the disappointment and uncertainty following the cancellation of public examinations,” he said.
“Furthermore, I would also like to pay tribute to the teaching staff at King’s, not only for their outstanding support and dedicated teaching but also for their careful and meticulous work that enabled the awarding of these grades in these unprecedented circumstances.
“The last six months has been an unsettling time for all. We have been impressed with the adaptability of both pupils and staff, who have adjusted rapidly to our new distant learning offering. We are delighted with what has been achieved in the wider school too and very much look forward to welcoming the school community back in September.”
