Students share celebrations following A Level results

Students at the Stamford Endowed Schools marked the conclusion of an extraordinary last few months as they received their A Level results this morning.Overall, 10% of entries received an A*, with 61% graded at A*-B, and 83% A*-C.Principal of the Stamford Endowed Schools, Will Phelan, said:“Our students – along with every student in the country – have endured an incredibly stressful few months, exacerbated by the announcement on Tuesday evening. Exams often bring worry and uncertainty for students, but this year the ability to influence their own fate has largely been taken out of their hands. The fact that they have achieved such strong grades – including some remarkable individual successes – is an indicator of just how hard they worked, and the effort that they have put in, throughout their A Level studies. These results, therefore, are not just a reflection of hard work, but of their maturity, in knuckling down to study right through their courses.“There are serious questions to ask of the process that has been used to award grades this year. 50 of our results – 9% of entries - were awarded a grade that was lower than the grade achieved at mocks. It is very rare for any student to perform better in mocks than in the actual exam, so this is an indication that the grading system has not worked as it should have done, and we will be wholeheartedly supporting these students with their appeals.“One extremely positive result for us is the marks for both the Extended Project Qualification, passed at 77% A*-B, and BTECs, which were passed at 100% A*-B equivalent. These qualifications both focus on independent learning, which we instil in our students from the very beginning of their time with us. It is notable that both qualifications were assessed as usual this year, so these results give a reliable indication of success.“A Levels have their place, but they do not suit everyone. Qualifications like the BTEC and the EPQ are rightly valued by employers and universities. At Stamford, we teach to the child, not to the test, and the strength of our results in these qualifications shows the positive impact of our flexible approach.“All of our students deserve congratulations for their hard work throughout their years in Sixth Form, but even more for their outstanding attitude and contribution to life at Stamford. A Levels are the means, and not the end, and our students are well set to take their next steps in life, whether at university, apprenticeships, exciting gap years, or starting out in their careers. We wish all of our Stamfordians the very best.”Some of our Year 13 leavers have shared their future plans with us below:Alice Lucy has confirmed her place at Loughborough University, where she will be studying BA geography, with a placement year. She shared her excellent results with us; A grades in both textiles technology and geography A Levels and D2 in BTEC sport. As Stamford's sailing captain Alice 'looks forward to earning her place on the Loughborough sailing team' when she begins her course!Photography: Alan Walters for the Stamford MercuryLuisa Queiros has confirmed her place to study Human, Social, and Political Sciences at Christ's College Cambridge. She said "It was a huge relief to get the results I needed after a lengthy period of uncertainty, especially as changes to the grading system have been made very recently."Although the reality hasn't quite settled in yet I'm really looking forward to starting my studies and am especially keen to learn more about Social Anthropology!"

Abbie Walster leaves the Sixth Form to enter the workplace in September, having secured a job as a Teaching Assistant at Witham Hall School. Abbie says she ‘feels like she is going home’ with this employment opportunity, as she began at Witham Hall herself in the Nursery, aged just 3 years old. Having studied history and textiles A Levels, Abbie’s ultimate goal is to train as a teacher and return to the Stamford Endowed Schools in the Textiles Department, so she’s told us to ‘watch this space!’

Lloyd Durno is headed to Leeds Beckett University to study Business Management in Sport following his time in the Sixth Form, where he has studied A Levels in business studies and geography, alongside a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport.

Photography: Alan Walters for the Stamford MercuryAnja Vujković leaves the Stamford Endowed Schools to attend the University of Belgrade, to read biology. Throughout the Sixth Form she has studied A Levels in biology, physics and drama, whilst learning mathematics through self study. We wish her the best of luck in starting her course in October.Gina Kilby is excited to be leaving Stamford to study performing arts at the BIMM Institute, having achieved A* in Drama and two B grades in Geography and Spanish.Photography: Alan Walters for the Stamford MercuryGareth Mok has achieved results of A*, A, A and an A in AS further maths. He has confirmed his place at the University of Bath to begin in the next academic year, studying economics and maths. In future he aspires to work in finance and is keen to continue to visit and contribute to the Stamford community.

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