A level results day in York 2021

‘Creativity and innovation’ in the face of the COVID pandemic has seen students from York College achieve A Level and Vocational success on results day.

Students gathered at the York College campus on Tuesday to receive their results following more than 18 months of lockdowns and social distancing – requiring students and tutors to adapt to new ways of studying.

Teams meetings and online learning have all played a part in successfully overcoming the challenges of COVID, as well hybrid learning, which involved students attending lectures on alternate weeks to facilitate social distancing

One of those celebrating was Jack Creaser, 19, from Pocklington, a former Woldgate School pupil who is now considering his study options after gaining a Distinction* in Sports Coaching.

He said: “It’s been pretty overwhelming because of COVID but the teachers have been spot-on. They have taken a lot of their own time to help us out.

“But when we were finally able to come back to College it was ace. I was able to get on with the practical stuff and get out on the playing fields.  I’m now progressing to university and would like to work in the police force or in teaching in the future.”

Former Archbishop Holgate’s pupil, Hamza Salman is looking forward to studying Computer Science with Cybersecurity at the University of York, after achieving A* in Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths and Physics.

“During COVID, the College was really quick to deal with the situation and continue our studies,” he said.

“At College it has been nice having the freedom to manage your studies and be treated like a young adult, as well as use of the great facilities,” he said. “You choose how you want to study but there’s still always support for you.

There to congratulate students on their hard work and achievements was college principal, Lee Probert.

He said: “This results day marks a huge milestone for staff and students, who have together, created new ways of learning. 

“Our staff and students have embraced technology in an unprecedented way, reflecting their strong creativity and innovation.  Our staff have worked with integrity to ensure these results reflect students’ abilities and will enable them to progress to whatever they have chosen to do next. 

“I am exceptionally proud of our students’ achievements and wish them every success for the future.”

Adrienne Richmond, principal of The Mount School today spoke of her pride at her students’ A level achievements.

“Despite the unusual circumstances and array of challenges over their two year A Level courses, the girls always remained upbeat and motivated, displaying remarkable resilience and maturity. 

“The self-belief we nurture in our girls and the drive for success was evident throughout their two years of A Level study and reflected in their results today. I wish them well as they take their next steps in their careers and at University,” Ms Richmond said. 

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The majority of girls have gained their first-choice place at the country’s top universities including Durham University, Imperial College London, University of Manchester, London School of Economics and Edinburgh University. 

Naomi Richardson, who achieved four A*s, said, “I am so happy. It has been a crazy two years but I am so grateful for everything. I did my Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in English. Learning beyond the syllabus was brilliant fun. It was good to explore and develop what we had already studied, looking at what really interested us.”

Christina Eleftheriou, who also achieved a clean sweep of A* grades in her A Levels and an A in her EPQ, said, “I am really happy with my results, I am absolutely ecstatic. I feel the last two years has taught me a lot of resilience and perseverance. The support that I have had throughout my time at The Mount has been absolutely fantastic.”  

St Peter’s School head Jeremy Walker paid tribute to his A level students today.

“Not only have they achieved an outstanding set of results, but they have also kept going through the most difficult of circumstances over their two years in Sixth Form. 

“The pupils have worked extraordinarily hard, adapting to new ways of learning at home and coping with all of the trials the global pandemic has brought them, including uncertainty about the A Levels themselves. 

“In spite of, or perhaps because of, the situation they have faced these young people have achieved a huge amount. The results they have earned today are a fitting reward for all of their hard work. 

“As well as the academic results they have achieved today, I am very proud of the values the pupils in the Upper Sixth have developed, in particular their compassion for others, their endurance and resilience through the toughest of challenges and their hope and optimism for the future.”

Altogether 92% of results at St Peter’s were awarded at A* to B, and almost all pupils achieved grades from A* to C. 36% of all grades were at A*, with 13 pupils achieving all A* grades and 15 pupils achieving four or more A Levels at A*/A. 

Kevin Xu achieved 5 A* grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Kevin has already proved himself to be one of the top young scientists in the country, achieving a place on the prestigious Cambridge Senior Physics Challenge summer school in 2020 and participating in the UK Chemistry Olympiad earlier this year. Kevin will go on to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge. 

Olly Tomalin has achieved 1 A* and 3 As alongside his exceptional achievements on the rugby pitch. Earlier this year, Olly was named as one of the top 15 U18 rugby players in England for the 2020/2021 season by NextGenXV.

Beth Wheelhouse has achieved 1 A* and 2 As – the A* in drama. Beth was accepted by the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain last year and will remain a member of the National Youth Theatre Company until she turns 26, opening doors to a huge range of opportunities.

Beth will go on to study the Liberal Arts at King’s College, London.  

Hannah Aubrey has achieved 3 A*s in Art, Chemistry and Mathematics, alongside her commitment to sport. Hannah was awarded the school’s Jo Sergeant Shield for all round excellence in Girls’ Sport and will go on to study Biological Sciences at Edinburgh. 

Chris Jeffery, head teacher of Bootham School, said this year’s A level students are a class apart.

“What an amazing and inspiring group of young people; how they deserve their success,” he said of their A level results today.

“We marvel at how this lovely group – and countless other young people throughout the country – have responded to the enormous, sustained and well-documented challenges they have faced over the past 17 months.

“The way they have managed has demonstrated positivity and resilience in abundance, which is reflected today in some truly well-earned and impressive results for us to rejoice in.”

Eleven out of 70 students achieved a clean sweep of four A* grades, two more achieving at least three A* grades and 31 students in total achieving at least three A* or A grades.

Mr Jeffery said: “Just as impressive are the results of those students who have produced their very best in achieving a variety of other grades; we have plenty of those too, of whom we are equally proud.” 

He added: “The one major plus of this year’s system is that it seems to have enabled more students to be graded on the best standard of which they are capable.

“This arguably better reflects their true standard than a purely exam-based system, where one bad day or even one bad question can be disproportionately influential.”

Fulford School head teacher Steve Lewis offered his congratulation to all the Year 13 students today.

He said: “With resilience, determination and impressive character they have studied through the most difficult of circumstance and have been rightly rewarded with some excellent A level and Btec results.

“Despite the challenges they have faced they are now ready to continue their journey at university, college, work and through apprenticeships. They have learnt a great deal about their subjects but also about themselves.

“We have all relied on our communities, friends and family through these difficult times and I know our impressive young people will take these lessons along with their outstanding grades into the world with them.

“As a school we challenge our young people to be the change they wish to see in the world. Our students leave us with our best wishes for their future.

“We are proud of what they have done and who they are. We are grateful for the role they have played in our school.”

Archbishop Holgate’s School head teacher Andrew Daly paid tribute to his sixth formers today.

He said: “As a school, we are incredibly proud of Year 13 and all they have achieved during their time at Archbishop Holgate’s which equates to another excellent set of results.

“Students have worked extremely hard over the past two years and, in the face of the challenging circumstances, have demonstrated great resilience and determination.

“Whilst students should be extremely proud of their excellent academic achievements, the measure of their success and development goes well beyond this: both individually and collectively, they have consistently embodied the school values and have been excellent role models for the rest of the school community.

We are proud of the people they have become and are pleased they have all been able to progress on their individual journey, whether this is to university, apprenticeships, or employment.

“We would like to thank Year 13 for all they have contributed to the school over what, for many, is the last seven years and wish them all the very best for the future. We will miss them and we look forward to hearing about their successes in the years ahead.”

Director of Sixth Form, Frankie De Lashley said: “We are extremely proud to have supported this cohort of young people over the past two years.

“It has been incredibly challenging and yet they have remained determined and committed to their aspirational progression plans. We wish them every success and have no doubt of their future accomplishments after triumphing during such a trying time in their academic career.”

Staff at Queen Ethelburga’s described their A level students achievements as outstanding today.

This year’s system for allocating results has been “exceptionally demanding for students and staff”, the school said, with quality assurance by schools and examination boards being rigorous and comprehensive, over a period of many months. 

“With this in mind, QE students are rightly delighted with their achievements, which reflect fully their dedication and work-ethic during the past two years.”

Queen Ethelburga’s have two senior schools at their Thorpe Underwood home. Students in The College achieved 85% percent A/A at A Level (96 per cent A/B), with students in The Faculty achieving 77% percent A/A (92 percent A/B). The percentage of D*/D grades in The Faculty was 75%.     

Students are looking ahead to bright futures with an exceptional range of first choice university places achieved at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, King’s College London and Manchester University amongst other excellent UK and worldwide universities.  

Speaking today as students receive their results, acting principal Dan Machin, said: “We are immensely proud of the fantastic achievements from all of our students, and I would like to commend each and every one of them for their resilience, work ethic and determination to succeed.

“Their support for staff and each other has been exceptional, and this year more than ever they have embodied our ethos of mutual respect, support, tolerance and compassion. 

“Our staff and students have embraced our blended learning approach this year, ensuring that they continue to achieve at the highest possible standards, whether studying online or in person.

“This has given a comprehensive evidence base on which to assess today’s results, but also allowed us to ensure that our students are fully prepared and inspired for the next part of their journey. We wish them all the best for the future.”

Teachers from Huntington School in York were full of praise for the class of 2021, after they experienced a highly challenging year.

Chris Hardwell, director of sixth form, said: “This cohort of students has been the most affected by the pandemic.

“They have shown huge resilience. Many of them have secured the university places and the jobs they wanted. We are delighted for them as they move on to the next phase of their lives. They are very special young people in so many ways.”

And head teacher John Tomsett said: “It was such a relief to see our students gain the grades they deserved. They worked so hard for them, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“Our rigorous assessment processes ensured that their grades represent a true picture of their capabilities.

“There is a life beyond Covid-19 and our young people could not be better prepared to make the very best of the opportunities ahead of them.”

They are celebrating at Joseph Rowntree School in York.

Head teacher Dave Hewitt said: “We are all absolutely delighted with the outcomes of students in the class of 2021.  

“Their commitment to their studies despite the obvious significant challenges that the period between March 2020 and now has really paid off.  

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students this year as we know how difficult it has been for so many students and their families over the last 18 months. The class of 2021 have been a credit to the school, themselves and their families.”

Outstanding attainment was achieved across the full range of subjects offered, with the following students achieving multiple top grades.

Ben Coleman, director of sixth form added “We are delighted with the achievements of all of our students from the Class of 2021.  

“They have worked incredibly hard in lessons, engaged brilliantly with our remote learning and live lessons during lockdowns and self isolation and taken a really mature approach to their education throughout their time in Sixth Form.  

“We are especially proud of the way that these students have managed to not only perform so well academically but also maintain quality relationships with their peers, make great use of Google Classroom to support their progress whilst working at home and work in new ways to enable staff to teach, assess and provide feedback even when working from home.”