LIVE: A-Level Results day – as it happens

Today (10th August 2021) is A-Level results day. Here you’ll find live updates from Salisbury’s sixth forms and colleges as the results are released.

The Burgate School

Year 13 students from The Burgate School received their exam results this morning and we are very pleased to celebrate their success with them. Our outstanding Sixth Form received results broadly in line with our above national average performance of previous years.

Our students are leaving to embark on a wide variety of university courses ranging from Chemistry to Law, Psychology to Sports and Midwifery to Mechanical Engineering. Other students have chosen to enter apprenticeships, join the uniformed services or to take a gap year. 

Jed Hayward who received four A* grades said: “These results make the last seven years of hard work worth it. It’s still sinking in! I’m off to Bristol to study Chemistry and can’t wait!”

Helen Day who is heading to Exeter University to study Psychology achieved three A* grades and told us: “I genuinely can’t put into words how I feel. I’m completely shocked but ecstatic!”

Rob Pennington who received one A* and two A grades is joining the Police Force and explained, “I am very happy with my results.”

Tilda Kay who achieved an A* and two A grades is going to Birmingham City University to study Midwifery and told Love Salisbury: “I’m shocked but so happy – I didn’t think I would get these grades but am so happy because I worked really hard.”

Twin sisters Eloise and Verona McDonald both achieved incredible results with Eloise receiving two A* grades, one A grade and an A* in her EPQ and Verona receiving one A*, two A grades and an A* in her EPQ also. 

Eloise commented: “I feel relieved that I got the grades I wanted to be able to study Biochemistry at Lancaster University, “ and sister Verona explained, “I am thrilled to get into the university of my dreams!”

David Pover, Headteacher said: “These results reflect the hard work, perseverance and, above all, the determination of Burgate students to do their very best. I should like to thank all of the staff for the unstinting support and guidance they have given to our students through these trying times.”

Bishop Wordsworth’s School

Dr S.D. Smallwood, Head Master of Bishop Wordsworth’s School, told Love Salisbury:

“This year, like last summer, is unusual when it comes to most things and exam results are no exception. The cancellation of the formal exam sessions meant that the subject grades for each student were arrived at via a different route.

“Though the finals grades were still awarded by the exam boards the grades were a distillation of various different forms of assessment through each A level course, with the greatest weight being given to work that was carried out under high levels of control (ie under supervised conditions in school).

“The assessment procedures were subject to rigorous quality assurance, both within school and by each exam board, and so we can be confident that the grades awarded to the candidates are an accurate reflection of their potential.

“That doesn’t happen by accident. The complexity and sheer volume of work that went in to the in-school assessment process this year was simply unprecedented. I felt very proud of all of my colleagues as I signed off the results for Bishop’s and submitted them for exam board scrutiny. Because of the Herculean efforts of the Bishop’s team through the past academic year our boys have been able to show what they can achieve.

“Headline figures are what Heads of schools invariably fixate on in August. Much more important however are the individual stories of students who have coped with everything that the pandemic has thrown at them and come through so strongly.

“Our boys in Year 13 have a very exciting time in front of them – almost all will be starting courses at competitive universities in a few weeks’ time with the prospect of a world that is opening up to opportunity once more. I wish them all good fortune as they take their first steps in the world beyond BWS.”

South Wilts Grammar School

Michele Chilcott, Headteacher of South Wilts Grammar School commented:

“The school is very proud of the success of our students today. It has not been an easy year and the word we have used over and over again is unprecedented.

“The students have approached their studies with positivity, maturity and resilience. They have adapted well to the changes, including the challenges of remote learning.

“The results they achieved today are very much well deserved. The results today were the result of a strong team effort and I would like to thank our teachers who have worked tirelessly to ensure our students are able to progress onto higher education and further study and their parents for their ongoing support.

“What was nice today is that we were able to share in their celebrations and wish our students well as they now embark on the next stage of their lives. Congratulations to everyone on their successes.”

Salisbury 6th Form College (S6C)

Louise Henderson, Head of College at S6C is extremely proud of what students have achieved this year, especially after such a difficult and disrupted 2 years of study.

“All our students worked really hard with great resilience and we thank our teachers who have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto the right pathways to university, apprenticeships and employment.

“We are proud of every student, how they have coped with the pandemic and shown such individual perseverance, care towards each other and our community, and tenacity to deal with the challenges they have faced. They are an exceptional group of young adults, and we all wish them every success for the future.”

S6C said it was fantastic to celebrate student’s success with them, and their parents. Students were delighted and in some cases relieved by the grades they were awarded, and felt that they were as expected based on their performance and hard work.

Huge praise was given from parents, thanking staff for the quality of care and learning experience students have received over the 2 years.

According to S6C more students than ever have achieved aspirational pathways with a high number of students, in particular, heading to the University of Exeter in September.

University pathways have become more diverse this year for S6C students and reflect the strengths in the curriculum, including students studying courses such as Computing and Artificial Intelligence.