Students in Warwick district defy the odds with impressive A level results - The Leamington Observer

Students in Warwick district defy the odds with impressive A level results

Leamington Editorial 18th Aug, 2022 Updated: 22nd Aug, 2022   0

AGAINST the odds students in Warwick district have produced some impressive A level results this year.

The nail-biting wait was over for sixth formers at schools and colleges in the area on Thursday (August 18) when they ripped open their results envelopes – or in the case of many, waited for that all important email to ping into their inbox – with an impressive array of grades across the board, including a high percentage of A* and A’s.

This is despite this year’s cohort being the first to sit their A levels since the start of the pandemic and one of the year groups who missed out on sitting their GCSE’s – meaning these are the first major exams they have had to complete.

Campion School in Leamington achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in A Levels with almost a third of pupils achieving A* or A. While 85 per cent gained A* to C grades.




Pupils studying BTEC qualification achieved equally highly with a 100 per cent pass rate and half of pupils achieving Distinction* or Distinction grades.

Headteacher Jassa Panesar told the Observer that despite the setback of pandemic lockdowns disrupting the education of this group of pupils, their achievements had been incredible.


He continued: “I have been particularly impressed with the students’ resilience and ‘can do’ attitude – even when their education and wellbeing was being tested. We must remember that this group of pupils had their Year 11 cut short by the first lockdown and then their Year 12 (first year of A levels) was disrupted by the second lockdown. These results are even more remarkable when we take these challenges into account.”

The A Level results at Arnold Lodge School in Leamington were its highest ever, based on the students’ combined value added score – the number of grades per pupil achieved beyond their targets.

There was a 100 per cent pass rate and out of all grades awarded, 10 per cent were at A*, 45 per cent were A* or A and 73 per cent were A* to B grades.

Among the individual success stories was Harry who achieved the equivalent of A*, A, A in Music, Mathematics and Computer Science, Jacob who achieved A*, A, A in History, Politics and English Literature and Francesca who achieved A, A, A in Biology, English Literature and Geography.

Headteacher David Preston said: “We are so pleased with an exceptional set of results at both A Level and BTEC.

“Over the past two years, I have been tremendously proud of how hard the pupils have worked and the success they have achieved is a wonderful reflection of their dedication to their studies, particularly considering the challenging circumstances the pupils have faced.”

At North Leamington School over 42 per cent of all results were graded A*to A and 27 students were awarded all A* to A grades – up from last year’s 23. Seventy five per cent of all results returned A* to B grades – a significant increase from 2019 of 61 per cent.

Stand out students include Yaara Holtzman who achieved A*A*A*A, Alysia Russell who achieved A*A*A and Sophie Adams achieved grades of A*AA.

At Leamington College Isabelle Knight achieved an A in Psychology, A in Business and Distinction in Applied Law. She is now heading to Loughborough University to study Business Management and Marketing.

While over at Warwick Trident College Jack Turland achieved triple Distinction* in his Engineering course and is on track to his goal to work in Formula 1.

Meanwhile over at Myton School in Warwick a third of students were awarded A* or A grades, while over 60 per cent achieved A* to B.

Students who stood out included Thea, Sam, Miya, Alex, Arun and Pavandeep who achieved straight A* grades in three or more A Level subjects or Distinction* in BTEC qualifications.

Headteacher Andy Perry said “This cohort really have faced the brunt of the last few years – sent home in March 2020 of their year 11, a year 12 disrupted by contact tracing and lockdowns and an uncertain year 13 as exam boards adjusted their course requirements.

“Therefore, a very sincere and warm congratulations to all the students, their parents and carers and the staff who supported them for such an impressive set of results.”

At King’s High School in Warwick there was particular success in a range of individual subject areas with every student in art, computer science and DT achieving A* or A grades, and all students of drama, English language, German and music achieving A* to B grades. In English literature, 59 per cent of students achieved an A* grade.

Headmaster Dr Burley said: “I could not be more proud of our Upper Sixth students, who have shown such fortitude and resilience in recent years and have worked incredibly hard for their final examinations.”

At Kingsley School, also in Warwick, there were some notable individual successes including Emily Mortimer who achieved A* A* A, Emily Lewis Wood who achieved A A A and Emily Esom who achieved A* A* Distinction*. Jessica Ellis achieved A*A A.

And at Warwick School, eight pupils achieved A*A*A*A*, and are now looking forward to reading Engineering, Law, and Music at Oxford, Natural Sciences at Cambridge, PPE at University College London, Physics at Durham, and Computer Science at Warwick.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Leamington Observer.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Leamington Observer.

Advertising

Advertise with the Leamington Observer to reach your audience