A strange day for all this morning as teachers and pupils at Worksop College gathered to open their A level results. As with every other school in the UK, today’s results were based primarily on predictions. Based on past work, mock exams and student ranking, these results were then standardised according to factors including a schools’ past performance and pupils’ past exam results. A last-minute announcement by the government confirmed that ‘Centre Assessment Grades’ would bear no impact on outcomes.
However, despite almost 40% of A level results nationally being downgraded, the school has some excellent grades, with (as per 2019 grades) almost 30% of pupils awarded A* and A grades. As a broad-ability, non-selective school, Worksop College has an impressive academic background, last year seeing the best A level results across all North Nottinghamshire schools.
Amy Wu has cause to celebrate today, her A in Maths, A in Chinese and B in Chemistry sees her going to UCLAN this year, where she will begin studying medicine.
Her classmate Sarah Handley from Dinington is also over the moon – an A* in Biology, A in Chemistry and A in Maths means she’s been accepted to Sheffield University to study dentistry.
“I got my first choice, so I’m incredibly relieved,” says Sarah.
There were emotional scenes in the car park as anxious parents awaited results. Ben Morris, whose B,B,D results mean he’s off to Northumbria University is over the moon – a sentiment shared by mum. “It’s just been so nerve-wracking for everyone”, she says. “They’ve all coped so well during lockdown; the remote teaching has been excellent.”
Looking on is Victoria Bak from Worksop, whose eldest daughter Ruby is Head Girl. Ruby’s A,A,B will see her joining King’s College London to study Drama. “What a relief!” says mum.
Joe Lippitt from Elmton in Worksop also has cause for celebration – learning he’s been awarded an A* Maths, A* in Latin, plus A grades in both Chemistry and Further Maths. Joe will be going to the University of St Andrew’s to study Classics.
And it’s not just local students who’ve excelled – Georgian national Mariam has been awarded an A* in Maths, A*in Further Maths and an A in Physics. The results mean she will be studying Astrophysics at the prestigious École Polytechnique in Paris. Classmate Balsa has done equally well. Hailing from Montenegro and joining the school for A levels, his A*,A* B grades have secured him a place at Michigan State University in America.
However, despite the excellent results, the school has anomalies, with a couple of students receiving grades lower than expected or predicted by teachers as part of the Centre Assessed Grades scheme.
“It goes without saying that we are very pleased with the excellent results”, says Headmaster Dr Price. “For the most part, our pupils have received grades that reflect their sheer hard work and determination. This, however, is not the case for every single student and there have been a few grades awarded that we are shocked and disappointed at. We will most certainly be supporting our students to challenge these grades and will do all we can to help secure the right results. These young people have worked too hard and for too long – showing unbelievable resilience over the last six months – it’s our duty to make sure we help them over this final hurdle and send them off to their next step in life with the outcome they deserve.”
Worksop College is a broad-ability independent school in North Nottinghamshire, educating children age 11-18. Set in 330 acres, the 125-year-old school is passionate about developing independence, adaptability and resilience – creating graduates with emotional intelligence who are ready for the workplace of the future.