Students across Havering are set to receive their A Level, BTEC and T Level results today (August 18) – and we will be updating results from all schools and colleges as they come in.
Overall, A Level grades are down on the past two years, though they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The drop was expected as exams were held for the first time since 2019, with a number of adaptations, including advance notice of some topics, to mitigate lost learning during the pandemic.
Students will begin receiving their results from 8am, but universities will already know grades and will be on hand for students with any queries.
For those who do not get the grades they hoped for and need to consider other options, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) chief executive Clare Marchant said there are more than 27,000 courses in clearing, as well as a range of apprenticeship opportunities available.
She said: “While many will be celebrating today, there will be some who are disappointed.
“My advice is to take advantage of the wide range of choices on offer, which includes over 27,000 courses in clearing, along with a range of apprenticeship opportunities.”
Students can visit ucas.com to see their options or speak to a UCAS adviser on the phone or social media.
Let us know your results and stories at londonlive@archant.co.uk
Havering Sixth Form College
Praise has been heaped on a “remarkable” cohort as students at Hornchurch-based Havering Sixth Form College collected their A Level results.
Teerath Sanghera, who secured a place at King’s College, London, to study biochemistry, said he was “truly happy” with his results.
Achieving four A*s, in biology, chemistry, computer science and extended project, he added: “I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my tutors at Havering Sixth Form.
“They helped me believe in myself – they motivated me and supported me when things were tough in my first year and I wasn't achieving the grades I was hoping for.”
Student Ludmila Iatco, who arrived from Moldova just a few years ago and did not speak English, was celebrating securing a place to study corporate finance at Royal Holloway University.
She said: “My teachers were so good and helped me through some health challenges I’ve had where I had to spend a lot of time in hospital away from college. They were brilliant and kept me going with my studying. I’m over the moon with my grades.”
Principal Janet Smith congratulated the “remarkable student cohort”, adding: “Having had two years of disruption to their learning due to the Covid pandemic, these students have displayed great determination and resilience and their success is extremely well deserved.”
The Coopers' Company and Coborn School
More than half of grades achieved (51.6pc) by pupils were at A*-A, with the school provisionally claiming its best ever results.
Alex Belay's four A* grades will take him to London School of Economics to study philosophy, politics and economics. He said: “I am thrilled at my results and so relieved to finally have them. It’s been a long journey - working through the pandemic was tough - but I’ve persevered and used the support around me to achieve as highly as possible. I can’t wait to start PPE at LSE in September!”
Leah Mundy achieved two A* grades and an A and is heading to Cambridge to study modern and medieval languages. She said: “ I’ve worked so hard for these results and to finally see them on paper is amazing!”
Francesca Montefusco achieved three A* grades and is heading to Nottingham to study geography, while Owen James also achieved three A* grades and is heading to Loughborough to study finance and management.
Deputy headteacher Rob Bell said: ‘’These results are a testament to the grit, tenacity and strength of character of our Year 13 cohort who have been through so much since 2019.
"Behind each and every result there is a fantastic young person who has the ability to go on and make a real difference. We couldn’t be more proud of them!’’
Drapers Academy
Harold Hill's Drapers Academy is celebrating a successful A Level results day, with 80 per cent of students going on to their first-choice university and others securing prestigious job opportunities.
George Harkins, 18, is one such student, with a role at private bank Weatherby’s waiting for him.
It was the school’s partnership with City of London Institution the Drapers Livery Company that helped set him up with the job.
George said: “I knew I didn’t want to go to university. It just wasn’t for me, so I asked for advice. Mr Bryant (head of sixth form Lee Bryant) got me in touch with Quentin Marshall at the bank and it led to being offered a job.
“I’m starting next Monday. I’m absolutely buzzing to learn at Weatherby’s. They specialise in horse racing and control billions of assets. I’m going to start my career here and ‘earn while I learn’.”
Headteacher Darren Luckhurst said: “After a turbulent two and a half years for our students I am so pleased that their resilience has stood them in good stead to achieve such great results.
“Their grades have enabled them to progress to university and apprenticeships of their choice. I congratulate them all and am so proud of their work effort. They all have bright futures ahead of them.”
The school was also visited by Cllr Oscar Ford, cabinet member for children's services, and Trevor Cook, Havering's assistant director of education, to see how students did.
Cllr Ford said: “Huge congratulations to students across the borough today. Their hard work has paid off and many will be going off to college, university, training courses, apprenticeships and jobs to pursue their dreams.
“I also know that today isn’t a good news day for everyone, and for the students who haven’t got the grades that they’d hoped for, support is available so they know what steps they can take next.”
St Edward's Academy
The headteacher of St Edward's Academy, which is on London Road, has praised the school's pupils this results day.
She hailed their “optimism and perseverance” and thanked staff for ensuring "continuity of learning at all times".
“Our students have all shown incredible resilience and determination to achieve some fantastic grades," she said.
Head girl Simone Boyd is now off to study finance in Birmingham, while head boy Busayo Williams is set to start an apprenticeship at Accenture in management consultancy.
Simone said: “I’m so happy to have experienced seven years at St Edward’s. I have grown as a person, made wonderful friends and achieved an amazing set of exam results.”
Other top achievers include Daniel Babatunde who achieved As in English literature, government and politics and history; Alicia Skhosana who achieved As in government and politics and sociology and a B in psychology; and Kemi Olaifa, who bagged A* in art and design, an A in psychology and a C in maths.
Additionally, Xenia Marga - who joined St Edwards in Year 10 with English as a second language - achieved an A* in art and design and As in English literature and psychology.
Ms Hassan said Xenia is a "great success story", having shown "great resilience and determination, culminating in a fantastic and well-deserved set of results".
Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School
The headteacher at Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School in Upminster has described the students’ A Level results as a “testament” to their hard work.
The school’s deputy head girl, Amelia Johnson, is one of those to have successfully secured herself a place at her place of choice, Durham University, to study geography, after achieving two A*s and one A in her results.
Fiona Mhosira was another student to have confirmed a university spot, her three Bs enabling her to head to the University of East Anglia to study economics and finance.
Vivienne Qurrey, headteacher at the school, said: “We are very proud of our pupils who have achieved fantastic A Level and BTEC results. These results are a testament to the hard work of both staff and pupils.”
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