A level and vocational qualifications hailed a success in Coventry

Half of the city’s secondary school sixth forms gained improvements in the highest grades of A* - A at A level

Author: Jon BurkePublished 18th Aug 2023

Coventry’s sixth-form students have achieved excellent A level and vocational qualification results despite the disruption they have faced over the last few years, according to the council.

Nationally, this year’s results returned to pre-pandemic standards as exam grades get back to normal and prepare students for their next steps.

Coventry’s provisional results show that half of the city’s secondary school sixth forms gained improvements in the highest grades of A* - A at A level.

The highlights below compare this year’s results with 2019, which was the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic.

Compared to 2019:

• 10 schools improved their A*-A grades at A level with the citywide figure remaining consistent at 17% in 2023.

• 9 schools improved their A* grades at A level with the citywide figure improving from 4.2% in 2019 to 4.7% in 2023.

• 8 schools improved their A*-B grades at A level with the citywide figure remaining consistent at 41.8% in 2023.

• Students taking vocational qualifications, equivalent to A levels, achieved a 98% pass rate, the same as in 2019. In addition, over a third of students achieved Distinction*/Distinction grades in these qualifications in 2023.

Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu said: "I want to congratulate every single student who has sat examinations in A levels and vocational qualifications this year, particularly as they were unable to sit GCSE examinations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, I know that Coventry students were keen to sit exams and formal assessments to show what they know, understand and can do. These students have demonstrated incredible resilience in the most challenging of circumstances.

"I wish all students the very best of luck in their chosen pathways and remind them that there is lots of help available whether you got the grades you expected or not.

"I also want to thank school staff, as well as parents and carers, who have provided the vital care and support to help young people achieve these results despite the severe disruption.

Prospects Careers Advisers are able to help young people via phone, email or video chat. Contact them at: www.prospectsnow.me or Free Phone: 0800 7313219 (Option 1 for Coventry).

The National Careers Service (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us) will again be delivering the Exam Results Helpline during August this year. Young people or their parents can contact the helpline on 0800 100 900 to speak to a professionally qualified careers adviser if they need advice on their next steps.

The helpline is open from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and bank holidays.

Young people can access ongoing support from the National Careers Service at any time by calling 0800 100 900, visiting the National Careers Service website or searching for the National Careers Service on Facebook and Twitter.

Any resident looking for work, education or training opportunities can also visit the Coventry Job Shop.

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