A Level results day always brings with it an enhanced degree of stress and anxiety.
In amongst the scenes of jubilant students picking up results, joyous in the knowledge that they have secured what they need to reach the next stage in their education, there are always difficult interactions with disappointed students who have missed out – and these are always the instances which stick with a Principal most, given the nature of how the long hoped for Plan A vanishes, to be quickly replaced by Plan B or Plan C in the space of a few hours, days or weeks, and the anguish which accompanies that.
Every school will go through this. They will have students who make a seamless progression to university or whichever path they plan on, and then they will have students for whom the next decision becomes a great deal more complex.
It’s very important to cut through the percentages of A and A* grades given which are often the headline statistics – this year, results percentages have dropped again closer to pre-pandemic levels – and focus on the individuals themselves: what do they want to do with what they have?
Given the current situation in the university sector, with four universities in every ten likely to record a deficit this year – and these projections are optimistic – there is a strong likelihood that offers will be made for courses where a student has missed out on their predictions. At this point, students have decisions to make about their next steps. In addition, at the time of writing this piece, there were already 30,000 places in Clearing for students who have not secured their offers and are considering alternatives. It’s very much a buyer’s market for students given just how much universities want their courses filled, with one of our students being very proactive with clearing and achieved a place at Royal Holloway to study Law within a few hours of clearing opening as she was so focused on achieving her goals.
Again, the need comes to return to the most vital consideration within this – the students themselves, and what they want to do with what they have.
This question breaks down into two facets: are they satisfied with the grades that they have; and do they feel a sense of readiness to move on?
In terms of grades, whilst important to stress that these will not define a future – the highest qualification will always have the greatest bearing on this – the A Level, and indeed GCSE grades which a student achieves will always feature on their CV, and will always be a mark of what they attained at a certain period of their life. They will also raise the question of responses: is a student themselves happy to settle for a grade which they may feel was an underachievement? Do they consider retaking the subject in the hope of righting a perceived wrong?
When I left school, though I was disappointed with my performance in a couple of subjects, overall, I was happy with my grades. They were achieved during a difficult and stressful time of my life, and had done the job in getting me to where I wanted to be.
In terms of readiness, this is more difficult to define. I certainly recall telling myself I was ready to go to university when I was. A keenness to leave my hometown, to break out on my own away from my parents and embrace independence coming to the fore above all.
But now, looking back at myself in my first year of university, I’m not so sure. I was naive and lacked confidence and direction about what I wanted to achieve and how I wanted to achieve it. I wasn’t entirely sure about direction and purpose, but, fortunately, I adapted fairly swiftly because I had to.
The strongest piece of advice which I can give, and this is perhaps difficult to apply for students, is to move on to the next stage only when you are ready: when you are satisfied with the grades you have achieved; when you feel that it is the right time for the move to university. Alongside this, I would urge all students to take their time when considering their next options, particularly when there is a deviation from Plan A.
We’ve seen students here, today, who have scored the grades which have moved them to their desired destinations smoothly. They have been congratulated for the hard work which has got them there. Amongst this group are those with A and A* grades who were aiming for the top and succeeded and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see them as pleased as they are.
Then there have been others who, though a touch disappointed with their grades due to the high standards which they set for themselves, got their places, and, in doing so, showcased remarkable growth during the time they have been here. Some students who were told at the end of GCSE sat their previous schools that A Levels were not appropriate for them, or some who overcame personal crises of confidence to make it this far. Above all, it’s crucial to say just how proud of all of our students we are.
The most pleasing interactions with students today have been those who came to us last year in difficulty, having scored disappointing grades in their A Levels at their previous schools, and subsequently missing out on university places. Taking advantage of our A Level Intensive courses, aimed at sharpening their skills and refining their approaches with expert guidance and rigorous assessment, there have been so many examples of significant improvement. This is where it’s most abundantly clear that the College has made a difference, and we’re so delighted with the outcomes achieved.
Lucas took BCD grades in 2023 up to ABB grades this year. His ceaseless work ethic, despite a long commute into London by car meant that he often stayed in College until late in the day, and this, along with his desire ‘not to be in this position again’ ensured that he moved his grades up significantly.
Kheya focused only on Maths, and took a D grade achieved in 2023 up to a B this time around. She is within touching distance of an A, and the College staff will be working with her to see if there is any scope for an improved grade. Regardless of this, she has been able to satisfy the required grades necessary and secure a place at the University of Nottingham to study Music. It was a pleasure to hear her say that she ‘was so much happier this year.’
Skye had a disappointing time at her last educational setting and did not realise her potential there, gaining a C and two D grades in Maths, Chemistry and Computer Science. This time around, with extensive guidance within a nurturing environment, she was able to lift those grades up to AAA – a tremendous achievement. She now goes on to study Computer Science at the University of Glasgow.
Najma has been a tremendous student this year at the College. Diligent, selfless and committed, she took BBC grades achieved in 2023 up to a quite incredible A*AA in Geography, Biology and Business Studies, and she is very close to moving one of those A grades up to another A*. She will now be going on to UCL in order to study Environmental Geoscience.
Shaylen was able to overcome his disappointment in scoring a B grade in Chemistry last year by improving to an A here, and he complemented this by securing an A grade in Biology, studying the subject intensively, from scratch. He now moves on to the University of Nottingham to study Aerospace Engineering.
Sohan was another student who focused on one subject – Geography. His B grade from last year meant that he was denied the place which he had set his mind on at university. One year on, and he has moved that grade up to an A*, and successfully secured his place at UCL to study Information Management for Business.
All of these students were able to overcome disappointments by focusing their energies on making the most of a year at the College to attain the results which they deserved. They did so through expert support and guidance; a calm, encouraging and supportive environment; and above all else, their own sense of empowered endeavour in order to show that they could redefine their futures.
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