Northampton A-level students urged to stay calm ahead of coronavirus-affected results day

Northampton students are being urged to stay calm after months of uncertainty about grades as they wait to get their A-level results tomorrow (Thursday, August 13) .

Two years of hard work will be decided by either a calculated grade, mock results or an exam in the autumn as the usual tests and classes were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic

Universities will be offering courses through clearing if pupils do not get the results they expect, with many still having accommodation available, and appeals will be available to them and their schools.

Verity Law, from the University of Northampton’s schools and colleges liaison team, said: “If your results aren’t what you had hoped for, and you’re now exploring your options, my message is – don’t panic.

"It might sound easier said than done, but you have to remember that thousands of students go to university through clearing every year and go on to have an amazing experience."

This morning, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson revealed the 'triple lock' for A-level students in the wake of criticism for the way the results were handled in Scotland.

The National Union of Students and the ASCL head teachers' union have questioned the plan to hand out grades based on mock exams but the government believes it is an extra safety net for pupils.

Northampton School for Girls head teacher Cristina Taboada-Naya said they are awaiting clarification from exam watchdog Ofqual about how it will work but paid tribute to students' resilience during such a difficult time.

"We are committed to supporting our students through every eventuality; never has that been more important," she said.

"While we are confident there will be much to celebrate and many positive outcomes for our students."

Cristina, who has only been at the school since April, said the allocation of results this year has been very different to normal but they are 'unashamedly proud' of the students' achievements and how they have dealt with lockdown.

"Inevitably, some have found coping with the situation more difficult than others," she said.

"We have ensured that we have communicated with them frequently and reassured them as much as possible as each stage."

Whatever grades are received, the University of Northampton has teams of people waiting to talk students through courses and discuss why they chose certain subjects, Verity said.

"The later you call, the higher the chance that a course will become full, so don’t leave it too late, but give yourself time to look at the university website and modules so that you know you’re calling about a course you can see yourself studying," she added.

"Any students who call us at Northampton can apply safe in the knowledge that we have accommodation available for clearing applicants, and we also have a virtual open day on Saturday where you can speak to academic teams and student services."

The coronavirus pandemic has also changed how universities function too and Verity said they have worked hard to make the campus Covid-secure for September.

"Always remember that we understand that University is a huge investment, if you’ve got a question just ask, we will probably have heard it before!

"If things have gone well, congratulations, before you celebrate make sure that you’ve done everything you need to for your student finance and accommodation applications and read any

emails your university sends so that you’re in the know on what your first term will look like.”

Northampton College is also offering students unsure of their future after A-levels the chance to stay closer to home by studying a higher education course at Booth Lane instead of heading off to university.

Principal Pat Brennan-Barrett said: “We know this is an extremely unsettling and confusing time for young people.

"We will be doing all we can to reassure students who have got their results that there are other options for them than university.

“Our higher education courses can be a far more cost-effective way of achieving a degree than heading straight to uni while also allowing you to study closer to home near your loved ones.

"Not going to uni does not have to a barrier to success, far from it.

"Many of our former students have gone on to achieve international acclaim, proving that it’s perfectly possible to 'stay local and go global'."

For more information, visit the UCAS website or the university's website.