A-level results are in across 10 colleges and sixth forms in Central Bedfordshire, early indications of the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) provisional A-level results show an increase in the average points score per entry across Central Bedfordshire compared to 2019’s figures.
This year’s A-level results end two years of teacher assessed grades due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Headline information on DfE’s provisional Key Stage 5 data for Central Bedfordshire shows:
- A level Students: Average point score per entry for A-level Students is 35.31 – average B- grade. 5.14 points increase from 2019’s average point score (30.17 – C)
- Academic Students: Average point score per entry for Academic Students is 35.39 – average B- grade. 5.13 points increase from 2019’s average point score (30.26 – C)
- Technical level Students: Average point score per entry for Technical Level Students is 38.07 – average Distinction+ Grade. 12.06 points increase from 2019’s average point score (26.01 – Merit)
Applied General Students: Average point score per entry for Applied General Students is 33.40 – average Distinction Grade. 8.09 increase from 2019’s average point score (25.31 – Merit)
And there have been plenty of individual success stories too, here are just a few examples:
Harlington Upper School
Mrs Helen Harris, Headteacher at Harlington Upper School, said: “There were jubilant scenes at Harlington Upper School this morning as our A Level students received their results. They made us incredibly proud, as we knew they would, with a fantastic set of A Levels and Vocational qualifications. 25% of grades achieved were the top grades of A and A* and 50% were A* to B.
Our students have a range of fantastic futures ahead of them with most taking up high level apprenticeships or university places to study a wide range of subjects in a wide range of places from Music at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to Medicine at Oxford University. We wish them all every success in the future.”
Manshead CE Academy
Year 13 students at Manshead CE Academy are celebrating the best set of externally marked exams in the Academy’s history. A third of all exams taken were passed at A*-A grades with 58% being passed above a B grade. Students are now heading off to universities across the country – from Durham to Cardiff to Portsmouth.
- Joel Bridgens achieved A* A* A* A and will be studying Economics at Bristol University
- Max Cornish achieved A* A* A* and will be studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Durham University
- Archie Bartlett achieved A* A* A B and will be studying Physics at Warwick University
- Ellie Astridge achieved A* A* A and will be studying Music at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music
- Sean Henriques-Johnson achieved A A A and will be studying Law at Nottingham University
The Academy is especially pleased to see Grace Connolly achieve excellent grades and will now be studying a degree to become a Children’s Nurse and Alfie Heeney who achieved A* A A and will now study Economics at Warwick.
Mr McBurnie, Headteacher at Manshead CE Academy, said: “I have been at the Academy for four years and every year we are seeing students with higher aspirations and stronger outcomes, despite the disruption over the past two years. The teachers at Manshead care and always go the extra mile to support and guide the students. Manshead is a wonderful place to be.”
Queensbury Academy
Mr M Little, Queensbury Academy’s Headteacher, said: “Queensbury Academy sixth formers have yet again achieved some excellent results this summer. Even though their education has been affected by the pandemic their hard work and the support from their teachers has paid off. The impressive grades that they have been given has provided them with life-changing opportunities to get into some top universities or for some, to beat other applicants in gaining an apprenticeship place.”
Individual performances of note are:
- Devan Thaker A*, A, A
- Charlotte Philips A, A, A
- Lexie Hobson A*, A, B
- Eleanor Hill A*, A, B
- Lucy Woodland A , A, B
- Luca Green A, A and a Distinction
Redborne Upper School and Community College
Nine students achieved at least 3 A* grades at A-level and five were successful in getting into Oxbridge.
Samuel Whitbread Academy
Samuel Whitbread Academy Principal, Nick Martin, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the students in Year 13 on their hard work and determination that they have shown over the last few years, which I am pleased to say has been richly rewarded.
“This year group has certainly had to overcome their fair share of challenges, throughout the pandemic, but they have taken all of this in their stride and managed to achieve a great set of exam results. I couldn’t be any prouder as a headteacher and I wish them all the luck in the world on the next stage of their journey.”
Stratton Upper School
Roz Hodges, Principal at Stratton Upper School, said: “It is a pleasure to see the incredible results that our A-level students have achieved. They have overcome significant challenges over the last few years and the commitment and ambition they have each shown has been truly inspiring.
“They were not able to sit their GCSEs and so this is their first set of public exams and we could not be more proud of their achievements. At Stratton Upper School we promote a ‘can do’ culture in which every student is encouraged to strive for excellence. We are extremely proud of the bright, independent individuals this cohort have become and wish them the best of luck in their future aspirations.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all our staff who continue to deliver exceptional teaching, raising their standards to help our students realise what they are truly capable of.”
The school’s notable pupils include:
- Jonathan Roberts who achieved three A*s and will study Computer Science at the University of Birmingham
- Ayran Patel who achieved two A*s and two As who will also study Computer Science at the University of Southampton
- Daniel Anderson who received two As, one A and a B and will go onto study Mathematics at the University of York
- Kayleigh Mackormick who achieved one A* and two As and is going on to complete a Nursing degree
- Emily Collett received two starred Distinctions, an A and a C and will study International Business with Mandarin at the University of Hertfordshire
Vandyke Upper School
The school’s top performers for this year are:
- Greg Dexter got the A* and A grades he needed to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Nottingham
- Callum Shepherd is going to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath with his A* and A grades
- Lois Baulard achieved well including top marks in Health and Social Care, Lois will be working in Chicago next year before starting her Sociology degree in Newcastle
- Amber Nuttall achieved the grades to study Animal Management at Shuttleworth College and hoping to fulfil her ambition to be a zookeeper
- Ben Avis got an A* in geography along strong grades in maths and physics and is taking up a coveted degree apprenticeship in railway engineering
- Inkie Parkinson achieved grades across the board and will be studying in Leeds
- With straight A* grades Jess Kefford has chosen to study Sports Science at Exeter
- Poppy Smith will be studying medicine at UEA in Norwich
- Theo Quick achieved A*,B, B and is already training to be a fire fighter
- Another student going to study Physics is Emma Baker who got A*,A*, B and will be going to the University of Birmingham
- Ellen Baxter aims to be a professional musician and will be studying on a four-year course at the prestigious Leeds Conservatoire
- Representing Great Britain at tumbling and managing her studies presented a tough challenge for Georgi Issott but Georgi, who won the U-21 British Championships aged 17 and competed in 2021 at the World Championships in Azerbaijan, achieved superb grades and now starts her apprenticeship in the police
- Jacob Kempster achieved A*, A and B grades and has decided against taking up his university offer, instead starting an amazing opportunity to work at Pinewood Studios on the Star Wars show designing and building props
- Saffya Crownie, with straight A grades Saffya will study Finance, Accountancy and Management at Nottingham
Cllr Sue Clark, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: “A-level results day is one of the most important days in a student’s life and this year this is, of course, on the back of the disruption caused by the pandemic.
“Teachers and pupils have worked extremely hard during the pandemic, and it is lovely to see that hard work rewarded. I congratulate our students in securing these wonderful results and I wish everyone the very best in deciding upon their next steps.”
The DfE Provisional Key Stage 5 First Statistical Release will be published in October 2022. The results will fluctuate because of the school performing the Key Stage 5 Checking Exercise during the Autumn Term 2022.
Students who didn’t get the grades they required, or who have questions about clearing, next steps or options for further or higher education can contact UCAS via: www.ucas.com
Please also note, we have a wide range of local support to help students regarding next steps and to go through options with.
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