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LIVE: Isle Of Wight A-Level Students Receive Results

It's that time of year again, when hundreds of Isle of Wight A-Level pupils find out whether their hard work has paid off.

The coronavirus pandemic may have cancelled exams, but it hasn't stopped students facing a nervous wait to find out their grades this morning (Tuesday).

This year, results were mainly based on teacher assessments after exams were cancelled again, due to the pandemic.

Unlike last year, no algorithms were used. It caused chaos for pupils with many feeling they'd been downgraded.

Some students will be hoping they've secured the university of their choice, while others may be looking at apprenticeships, full-time work - or even taking some time out...

Ryde Academy

After a "tough" year, sixth formers at Ryde Academy are celebrating their results.

Joy Ballard, Principal of Ryde Academy said:

“Congratulations to all of our students on their fantastic results. They should be rightly proud of these grades, which they have worked so very hard for. Our students have responded to the challenges of the past few months, with determination, compassion and patience.

"Whether they are going onto university, high-quality vocational courses, or employment, I am confident that they will continue to make us proud.”

Student April Egan was among the school's top performers this year. Her impressive results have seen her secure a place Cambridge University, where she’ll study English.

While, Sam Muncer is off to study Psychology at University of Nottingham, Charlie Ashley is going to study Mathematical Physics at University of Southampton, and Ben Thompson will be taking up a place at Ballet Theatre UK to study for a degree in Ballet performance.

In the vocational arena, Sixth Form students at Ryde Academy also achieved some impressive outcomes. Tom Brunton, a keen sportsman, achieved a triple Distinction* in Sport and a B in EPQ.

A number of students did remarkably well, securing A*s and A grades in all of their subjects:

  • April Eagan - A* English Literature, A* Sociology, A* History, A EPQ 
  • Beth Parkinson - A* English Literature, A in History and Psychology 
  • Sam Muncer - A* in Sociology, A in Psychology, A in History 
  • Tom Brunton - Triple Distinction* in Sport and B in the EPQ 
  • Charlie Ashley - A* Maths, A* Physics and an A in computer science
  • Ben Thompson - A* in dance, A in Theatre Studies and B in English literature 

Island VI Form

Staff at the Island VI Form say they're "very proud" of everyone’s achievements this year.

After a hard year because of COVID-19, the school has praised students and staff for their hard work and dedication.

More than 150 students are heading into higher education off Island. 

Dave Mumford, Head of The Island VI Form said he is delighted with the individual results that have been achieved:

“We have over 150 students going on from the Island to follow a vast range of university courses including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Law and Fashion, to name just a few.

“Many students have gained entry to top Russell Group Universities across the country. Congratulations to all students on their achievements and I would like to thank parents and staff for all their support.”

Christ the King College

Students at Christ the King College have been signalled out for their "outstanding achievements". 

Staff say students have made progress beyond expected national levels, in line with previous years.

The Sixth Form at Christ the King College is ranked within the top 20% of Level 3 providers for student progress.



The Head of Sixth Form, Mrs. Hayley Conway-Hughes, is absolutely thrilled with the outcomes and said:

“We are so excited for the students today; they have worked unbelievably hard and deserve all of their successes. Our thanks go out to the staff team, it's been an incredibly challenging couple of years.

"The standards of provision continue to be very high in the Sixth Form at Christ the King College and these results are a testament to the care and attention we offer our students. They are fantastic young people who have very exciting futures ahead of them and we wish them continued success in all that they do.”

This year students are moving onto a broad range of programmes at university including (to name a few) Computer Science, Midwifery, Veterinary Science, Psychology, Economics, Architecture, Law, Marketing, Medicine, Aerospace Engineering, Archaeology, Sports Coaching, English Literature and Creative writing, Pharmacy, Fashion Journalism, Visual Effects, Nursing, Film Production, Ancient History and Zoology. 

Christ the King college’s headteacher, Mr McDermott, said:

"We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

Cowes Enterprise College

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Cowes Enterprise College says its students have once again achieved success.


Elisabeth Cody

While all pupils have done well, there are some standout individual achievements. These include:

  • Georgie Price, who received As in Physics, Chemistry and Biology as well as an A* in her EPQ, has secured a place at Sheffield University to study medicine.
  • Thomas Prince, who received an A* in Biology, an A* in Geography and an A in Maths, has successfully achieved a place at Gonville and Caius College, the University of Cambridge, to study Archaeology. 
  • Elizabeth Cody, who has secured a place at Exeter University to study English, got 4 A*s in History, Philosophy and Ethics, English Literature and her EPQ.
  • Ben Snow, who has gained a prestigious finance apprenticeship with Schroders Asset Management, got Distinction* in Economics and Business Studies.


Ben Snow

The school says it has taken a well-rounded approach to helping their students thrive in the face of this year’s challenges and these outstanding results are a testament to that work.


Ewan MacMillan

Rachel Kitley, Principal at Cowes Enterprise College, said:

“I am incredibly proud of all our students for their hard work and dedication to their studies, they all deserve to be celebrated today.


Mary Clarke

“At Cowes, we are committed to supporting our students to pursue and achieve the best possible opportunities at every step. Whether they are going to university, or to be part of a prestigious apprenticeship scheme, we are delighted that our students’ determination has been rewarded, and excited to see what the future holds for them all.”


Georgia Price

Ryde School

At Ryde School, 58 per cent of A Level results graded A* or A, with over a quarter at A*, and a pass rate of 9 per cent at A* to C.

42 per cent of the Higher Level IB grades were at the equivalent level (6 or 7) with IB candidates securing an impressive 37.3 points average at Diploma Level (out of a maximum of 45.)


Results Day Ryde School - Emily Owen and her mother

Over one third of the BTEC candidates achieved D*D*, the top grade at this level.

 

Head Master Mark Waldron said:

"No generation of students has been more deserving of their results than this one and I am delighted for students, teachers and parents alike with these excellent and well-deserved outcomes.

"Whilst I continue to believe we could and should have taken public exams, we worked hard to ensure that the results awarded are a fair reflection of the abilities and efforts of this year group who have been so adversely affected by the Pandemic and the Government’s confusing educational response to it.


Dr George Speller, David Shapland and Rachel Tweddle talking with Charlotte MacLeod

"Our priority all along has been to ensure our students have had a positive experience over the last two years and are able to move on to the next stage of their education. With pupils off to destinations and courses as diverse as Maths at Cambridge, Music Psychology at Leeds, Law at Norwich and Science at Southampton that has clearly happened.

"I believe the resilience and fortitude gained in addition to the results themselves stands this generation in greater stead than many for great futures ahead."


Head Master Mark Waldron talking with Charlie Walford

Some of the results include:

  • Zac Gavin of Newport, who achieved five A* grades in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and EPQ as well as high passes at STEP Maths II and III and so secures his place to read Mathematics at Cambridge.
  • Ryde based Emily Owen who also secured five top grades with A*s in English, History, Latin, EPQ and a 7 at IB in French and will read English at St Andrews and Francis Fu, a boarder from Hong Kong awarded A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Maths,
  • Further Maths and EPQ. Boarders Giorgi Markhulia and Nikita Svetlakov, Liberty Turrell and Oliver Yelland, both from Wootton Bridge.
  • Bembridge’s Charlie Walford all achieved at least two A* grades at A Level and will be studying Natural Sciences at UCL, Engineering at Manchester, Geography at Manchester, Architecture at Cardiff and Maths & Computing at Southampton respectively.
  • At IB, Charlotte MacLeod from Bembridge achieved 42 points and a place at Durham to read Geography
  • Ellie Pink’s (from Wootton Bridge) secured 38 points which opens the way for her to study Languages at Exeter.
  • Newport student Levi Yu achieved a double distinction in BTEC Engineering alongside top IB grades in Design Technology, Maths and Physics to gain an impressive 224 UCAS points and a place to read Robotic Engineering at Birmingham.
  • Conor Lehmann of Shanklin who achieved his success in the Business BTEC equivalent of two A Levels after only one year of study.

Platform One

In the year that Platform One was recognised as the BTEC College of the Year, students are said to have achieved "outstanding results". 

16 students achieved triple distinction grades in the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music - equivalent to three straight A grades at A-Level.

Ten students also achieved three ‘distinction stars’- the highest grade possible.

Education Director David Pontin commented:

“We are absolutely delighted with results again this year. We are proud of the achievements of each and every student. It is fantastic that our students will progress to their first choice universities, with some students progressing straight into employment. We have an incredible staff team that worked so hard this year to support our students."

Platform One students will be progressing to various universities including, Liverpool Hope University, Leeds College of Music and Bath Spa University.

Many students will continue their journey with Platform One on the BA (Hons) Commercial Music that is validated by University of Chichester.

BTEC Programme Leader, Adam Tabner, said:

“It was such a privilege to issue the students with their final grades. They have worked so hard, through an extremely difficult two years and it is fantastic to see their talent and hard work being recognised. I am so proud.”

Student Amy Jolliffe achieved D*D*D* – the equivalent of three straight A stars at A-Level.

Amy commented:

“The last two years have been amazing, despite difficult times. Thank you to all of the wonderful P1 staff – I am delighted”.

Student Bethany Kidd who also achieved D*D*D* said:

“Everybody has cared so much to make sure I have had the best experience, opportunities and now the best grades."

Platform One is offering places for students starting in September 2021. For more information contact [email protected] or call 01983 537550.

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