A LEVELS: South Wiltshire and West Hampshire students pick up results
Local schools have been sharing how their pupils got on
It's a big day for hundreds of teenagers in South Wiltshire and West Hampshire, as A Level results are revealed today (Thursday 17th August).
The proportion of top A-level grades is down on last year but still remains above pre-pandemic levels.
More than a quarter of students have been awarded an A or A* grade - down by around 9 percentage points on last year.
However, that's still slightly higher than 2019, before the pandemic.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said:
"The pass rate for A-levels actually is a very good pass rate. If you look at the results in 2019, actually more are getting higher grades - As and A*s - than were doing in 2019 just by a little bit.
"So I think the pass rates do differ and you know, obviously, the exams differ, the cohorts differ, but what I will say is this year's exam results are fantastic results.
"Brilliant in terms of destinations - people being able to go on to universities - we've had three million young people look at apprenticeships now we've got them on the UCAS site as well and 350,000 of them have gone on and clicked on to look at more detail of that to get the applications etcetera.
"There are so many more opportunities for young people and I just want to say congratulations to them, they're fantastic. Well done, and enjoy where you're going to next."
How have local schools got on?
South Wilts Grammar School in Salisbury have given us a statement:
"We are delighted that our students have achieved such superb results once again. A majority of our students stay on in the sixth form as part of a seven-year journey through SWGS, achieving truly exceptional results. We are also extremely proud that the students who joined us in the sixth form from other local schools achieved excellent grades. The vast majority of students are going on to their first-choice universities or degree apprenticeships, including students with offers for medicine, veterinary science or from Oxbridge.
"We are particularly proud of the achievements of this year group who, as a result of COVID-19, had a hugely disrupted education and for whom their A-Levels represent their first set of external exams; they richly deserve their excellent results. This year’s success is a result of students’ hard work, high-quality teaching and the support of parents.
"The SWGS co-educational Sixth Form is bigger than ever and continues to go from strength-to-strength, combining academic excellence with a nurturing environment. As we wish our outgoing cohort all the very best for the future, we look forward to welcoming a new generation of sixth form students in the forthcoming weeks."
At Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury, they're celebrating some strong results once again.
Headteacher Dr Stuart Smallwood said:
"Given the advance media coverage both early this morning and during the past week you could be forgiven for thinking that this year’s A level cohort were on the edge of a cliff waiting for a considerable drop. The move back towards the top line performance numbers established back in summer 2019 has continued nationally, but of course it is the individual that matters on such a morning. I remember only too well what it was like, as a parent, waiting to discover what those critical letter grades might be. Current parents have my sympathy and understanding today – but of course for the vast majority of our students there is no edge of the abyss as they have done extremely well.
"The numbers for our Year 13 are impressive. Over 75% of the grades were at A-B; at 190 this was our biggest year group yet. Our students secured 20 places to study at Oxford and Cambridge. Some 52 of our boys and girls gained all of their results at A/A grade, and an extraordinary 13 at the top of the year group passed every A level paper that they took at A*. The strength of their performance will have once again put their school in the premier league this year. What an amazing set of outcomes!
"Two years ago this year group were entering new territory. They had not been tested fully at GCSE, they were by some way our biggest coeducational year group so far and the environment for study was still blighted by the aftershocks of the pandemic. They have worked well and, supported by parents and challenged by teachers they have had a wonderful two years learning and maturing here in the heart of The Close. I am hugely proud of them all, and it’s so very exciting to see and hear about their plans for what is to come next."
Salisbury 6th Form College students have also been picking up results today, at the Tollgate Road campus.
Head of College Ben Hillier said:
"We're really happy with the results we've got here - I've got students for example with straight A* star grades in three subjects, which is fantastic. As always though, we have got some students who haven't quite got the grades they wanted as well, so we're working with them today to support all those students to their next step, wherever that may be."
Mr Hiller's told us around 65% of his students are considering university:
"That's a figure that I would say has been affecting by the cost-of-living crisis. More and more studetns are looking into higher level apprencticeships that are out there, or straight into the world of careers instead."
Wiltshire Council have also passed on their congratulations to students and are offering support to those who might have changed their chosen path forward as a result.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said:
“Congratulations to all the students who are finding out their A Level and Vocational Technical Qualification (VTQ) results across Wiltshire today. It really is a culmination of the years of hard work and dedication that they’ve put in, and students should be proud of their achievements.
“I also wish to extend my congratulations and thanks to the teachers, and other school staff for the support and hard work that they have put in to help students achieve their results. Also to the families who are there supporting students through what can be challenging times.
“If there are students who don’t quite have the results they wanted or are unsure of what to do next, there is a whole range of advice out there to help. So don’t worry, speak to your school or college, use the support available and you will find the path that’s right for you. Good luck to everyone.”
Students are also being encouraged to make use of the mental health resources available locally, details of which are listed on the website of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Gill May, Chief Nurse for the ICB, said:
“Exam season as a whole can be particularly hard on young people, with everything from revision and sitting the exams, to getting the results and then preparing for either university or college happening in the space of just a few short weeks.
“It’s no surprise that many students begin to feel run-down, exhausted and just plain worried by the whole situation. These sorts of emotions are normal and usually pass in time, but some may want a little help to stop these negative feelings from becoming something unmanageable, and that’s where the NHS can help.
“The help available in our region comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some options based solely online or over the phone, and others happening face-to-face. These services are there to be used, and many will only need to ask for help once, but doing so is often all it takes to relieve the stress that could lead to something worse.”