Students across Dorset have been celebrating as they collected their long-awaited A-level results.
Students at Dorset schools including Thomas Hardye in Dorchester, Budmouth Academy in Chickerell, Weymouth College, Beaminster School and Sir John Colfox Academy all picked up their results on Thursday, August 15.
Youngsters from Thomas Hardye School have had a ‘really good’ year in terms of results.
The school received an email in the morning praising student Lila for achieving some of the highest grades in the country after she received three A* and an A* in her APQ.
Leila is going on to study French and English Literature at the University of Birmingham.
She said: “I’m so chuffed, I’m really looking forward to it a lot. I’m really excited.”
Megan was also pleased with her results after achieving A*, A, A, B and an A* in NPQ. She is going on to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University. She said: “I got the grades I needed. I’m so happy- it’s my dream course.”
Tamara, an international student from Hungary, said that she was ‘really happy and relieved’ with her results after achieving two A* and A. She will be taking a gap year before studying accounting and economics at Southampton.”
Headteacher Nick Rutherford, said: “It’s been a really good set of results for a year group of more than 300 students who will be going on to do university, vocational courses, or apprenticeships and gap years. They’ve done fantastically well and I’m pleased to see students get what they need.
“We get an early read-out and all 10 students are going on to Oxbridge or medical schools.”
Richard Nicholls, head of sixth form, said that the group’s pass rate was ‘in-line’ in previous year. He said: “It’s been very good and there are lots of happy faces making good progress going onto the next thing in life.”
There were plenty of smiling faces at Weymouth College as students picked up their long-awaited results.
The college’s A Level students have achieved an outstanding overall pass rate of 100% in all 15 subjects – with 68% achieving A*- C.
Students in English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies, and Law achieved 100% A*- C – well done.
Jack Byrne is off to study law at the University of West England after achieving A*BC.
He said: “I was feeling nervous, especially because uni is only a month away but I am very pleased with my results.”
Faith Taylor was ‘a little nervous’ ahead of results day but was ‘really happy’ upon opening the envelope.
She received an impressive AAB grade and now plans to continue her studies at the college.
Matty James also plans on studying law.
He received an unconditional offer to study at Winchester University and is ‘relieved’ with his grades.
There are exciting things to come for Grace Newton who is planning a gap year before starting university life.
During this time, she will be working alongside a mental wellbeing support charity in the Reading area.
Xander Lavis is hoping to take up a place at London Metropolitan University to study Film and TV production.
He said: “The College has helped support my independence as a learner and helped facilitate my learning to achieve my future goals as a film maker.”
Jessica Makin said: “The College has supported me in moving back into mainstream education and progressing in my academic studies. I hope to work for the civil service in the future.”
Head of Academic Studies, James Foster, said: “We are proud to announce the exceptional achievements of our A Level students. The students have demonstrated a remarkable level of academic excellence and personal growth, setting a strong foundation for their future endeavours.”
“The results show the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our students, who have shown determination throughout their academic journey. Many of our students have surpassed expectations, with a significant number securing places at top universities or transitioning into promising career opportunities or apprenticeships.”
Budmouth Academy A-level students received their result starting at 8.30am.
Katy Stone was pleased with her results. She said: “I knew I had done well; I have got what I needed.”
Fraser Rudd got the results he was hoping for and will be heading to university for his next step. He said: “I am happy, I got into my university, so it is good news. I will be doing Geography at Plymouth.”
Molly Allan was a little disappointed with her results but says she will bounce back. She said: “Not quite the results I was hoping for, but I always bounce back, like a trampoline.”
Lucas Woolnough and Anna Hansford collected their results at the same time. Both had already decided to enter the work force. Lucas said: “I got the results I was expecting. I am going to work in the army as a combat medic, but the results do help.”
Anna will be working at the prison. She said: “I got what I was expecting, so I am just here for the ride.”
Principal Mike Hoffmann is delighted with the achievements. He said: “Our year 13 students have been an incredibly hard working group and this shows in the excellent grades they have achieved.
"They have been incredible role models in their time here at Budmouth, and whether accessing university education, degree apprenticeships or the world of work next year, they show our younger students the benefits that hard work and resilience can bring. We wish them all the best in their future careers as they embark on the next step of their journey.”
Figures published from Ofqual have revealed the proportion of A-level entries who have received the top grades compared to previous years.
Students in Dorset have improved on the previous two years either side of Covid.
The proportion of A-level entries graded A or above in 2024 is 26.8 per cent, compared to 25.1 per cent in 2023 and 24.8 per cent in 2022.
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