A-level results day 2020: Kingsthorpe College students celebrating after many earn first-choice university places

A-level students at Kingsthorpe College are celebrating after more than four-fifths secured a place at their first-choice university despite the turmoil over grading.

Grades have been calculated by teachers and Ofqual as the usual exams were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, with pupils able to appeal to resist exams in the autumn.

Jennie Giovanelli, head teacher at the Boughton Green Road school, said: “It was an unusual experience for our students this year – both in terms of how they finished their school life, but also the results day experience which had to be meticulously organised because of social distancing.

"It was important to us though that we still offered a face to face results day, albeit run very differently because of the current restrictions due to Covid-19, to both celebrate our students’ success, as well as be on hand to support students with any questions or queries about their next steps.

"Whilst the year might not have finished in the way we imagined, we are incredibly proud of the contribution that all our young people have made, and we wish all our KC Class of 2020 students the very best of luck.”

Among the students who did particularly well was Asef Chowdhury, who achieved an distinction star in both Business and IT as well as an A in finance and will be studying computer science at the University of Liverpool in September.

Other success stories include Shereena Witts-Williams, who got an A* in English literature, an A in English language and a B in photography and is going on to the University of Lincoln to read English and creative writing.

While Poppy Moses earned an A* in both art and photography plus a C in English literature and will be studying photography at Nottingham Trent University.

Director of post-16 Stuart MacDonald said: “We are delighted with the student successes this summer which further demonstrate the sustained improvements we are making as a college.

"We are particularly pleased that the results reflect our commitment to provide a broad and balanced curriculum.

"These results are testament to the determination and commitment of all involved with the college and we wish all our students the very best for the future.”