Lincolnshire schools celebrate A-Level results

It is A-Level results day, and students across Lincoln and the county have been celebrating getting their grades.

Sixth form and college students found out their A-Level results today, under the unusual circumstances of not being able to sit exams for their grades.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak which prompted school closures, student grading has been down to predictions made by the school based on previous performance in class.

Students will have the option to accept their grades, change them for marks gained in a mock exam, or sit an exam in the autumn.

Due to these changes to this year’s results process, Lincolnshire County Council can not provide the overall county figures for A-Level results.

This hasn’t seemed to dampen spirits too much, however, as schools and students alike rounded off a difficult year with some fantastic results.

Sir William Robertson Academy in Welbourn had plenty to celebrate, as the school honoured its first student to ever be accepted into Oxford University.

Alethea Meachem, head student and leader of the school council, got three A* grades in chemistry, English literature and French to earn her place at St Anne’s College.

Lincoln University Technical College achieved a 100% pass rate, with 60% of students passing with a distinction grade.

Principal of Lincoln UTC, John Morrison, said: “This has been a very difficult year for us all but particularly for examination year students.

“Therefore, we are particularly pleased that despite numerous challenges our students have achieved excellent and very well-deserved A Level results.”

Another school with a maximum pass rate was Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School, with the head teacher calling it a “very proud moment”.

Martin Mckeown, head teacher at LCHS, said: “Congratulations to all students and staff for all of their hard work over the years. This has been a very strange year, but it is fabulous to see that the hard work and dedication of the whole team has paid off.”

Lincoln College also had a 100% pass rate, beating national averages for the fourth year in a row.

Mark Locking, managing director for education and training at Lincoln College, said: “I’m really proud of the hard work, dedication and tenacity of our students, who now have a great platform to enter higher education, or to start their careers.

“Lockdown was a huge challenge for our staff and students, but thankfully both rose to that challenge and our online learning engagement was fantastic.”

North Kesteven Academy enjoyed a socially distanced day to remember this year, as students rejoiced in their results.

Jo Tunnicliffe, headteacher at NK Academy, said it was very important to the school to allow students to receive their results in person after the difficulty of the last few months.

“We have been supporting them through our online platform since lockdown began and we felt that it was really important for them to come into school today in a safe way, as a rite of passage and to access any support with their next steps.”

Lincoln Minster was another school to achieve a 100% pass rate, seeing a significant increase in grades up to A*.

Headmaster Mark Wallace said: “‘We are extremely proud of and pleased for our pupils with the results they have achieved this year in such trying circumstances.

“This is testament to their commitment and dedication to their studies not only at school, but during the lockdown period as well.”

Priory Lincoln Academy joined the club in terms of getting a 100% pass rate, with a third of students going to apprenticeships or work, and the rest successfully applying to university.

Headteacher Richard Trow said: “Our sixth formers really are amazing role models. To see so many happy faces today was amazing.

“We work hard to help students turn challenges into opportunities and I am sure that, despite the difficulties of recent months, they will thrive over the coming years.”

Boston College also enjoyed success, scoring a 100% pass rate for the fifth consecutive year.

David Rudnyanszky-Munteanu got an A* in maths, A* in business and an A in media studies and will now go on to CASS Business School at the University of London.

He said: “Even though it’s been a tough period, Boston College managed to successfully continue to deliver quality materials during lockdown and this helped me achieve my best.

“It’s been a pleasure to be a student for the last two years at Boston College because it made me realise what I want to do next in my life and I got the opportunity to meet so many amazing people.”