Students Congratulated For Their Efforts On 'A Level' Results Day

Colleges, councils and unions in Sussex have expressed congratulations to students who received their 'A Level' results today, after the first exam sittings since 2019.

Students across West Sussex who sat the first exams to be held in-person since the pandemic are opening their A-level and vocational course results today.

Nigel Jupp, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Learning & Skills, said:

“Congratulations and well done to everyone who received their results today. West Sussex students who sat exams in May and June of this year were among those who sat the first exams to be held in-person since 2019.

“While Covid-19 has continued to present many challenges throughout the academic year, the sheer determination and perseverance shown by students, teachers and their schools has been rewarded by completing the year successfully. Well done to everyone.”

The  council is also offering some careers advice. They said:

Careers advisors are on-hand to provide free, one-to-one advice on a range of issues.

It could be the grades you received weren’t what you were hoping for, you need help finding a place at university, further education, training or employment, or you’re unsure about your options and next steps.

Chat with the careers team by calling 0330 222 2700 or email [email protected]

Supporting your wellbeing

Feeling down, upset, stressed or anxious after opening your grades? You can find lots of advice and support to help you with your feelings on our Your Mind Matters webpages, which have been especially created to help young people to improve their emotional wellbeing.

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The headteacher of Worthing College also publicly congratulated her students, saying they had achieved exceptional results'

The college recorded a 99.2% pass rate for A-levels in 2022, with more than half of students securing the highest grades of A*-B and 84.5% achieving grades A*-C

An impressive 26 out of 31 A-level subjects recorded 100% pass rates, with a third of all A-level courses achieving 75% (or higher) A*-B grades.

Helena Thomas, Principal at Worthing College, said:

“We are very proud of our students, and of the results they have achieved this year.

“We can’t underestimate how challenging it has been for them. Let’s not forget, this is the first time these students will have taken external exams for more than two years, having been awarded CAGs (Centre Assessed Grades) for their GCSEs in 2020.

“They’ve experienced disruption to their learning through the coronavirus pandemic, but they have shown great commitment throughout.

“They worked hard to achieve their grades and they should be very proud of their achievements, and we congratulate them as they take their next steps – whether that’s higher education or employment.

“We’d also take this opportunity to thank our staff. The dedication they have shown to their students has been inspirational.”

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The principal at Haywards Heath College praised his students for a fantastic set of results.

The college – which opened in September 2020 – recorded a 97% pass rate for A-levels, according to figures just released for 2022.

More than half of students (51.8%) secured the highest grades of A*-B and 75.2% achieved grades A*-C.

And an impressive 25 out of 31 A-level subjects recorded 100% pass rates.

Paul Riley, Principal at Haywards Heath College, said:

“We’ve had a really strong first two years at Haywards Heath College, as we’ve seen in our first full set of A-level results.

“Our students put their trust in us, as a new college, and they have really achieved some phenomenal results. We are incredibly proud of them.

“And to do so after what has been a really challenging few years is amazing. This has been their first experience of sitting external exams for more than two years – they were awarded CAGs (Centre Assessed Grades) for their GCSEs in 2020.

“They also experienced disruption to their learning, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Yet the commitment to their studies has been admirable, they have shown great determination to achieve their goals and worked hard for their grades.

“We congratulate them and look forward to seeing them take their next steps on their educational journeys, whether that’s university, higher education or employment.

“We also say thank you to our staff, our Haywards Heath College team, who gone above and beyond to ensure our students have been supported throughout their time with us.”

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Students at a multi award winning, specialist school for young people with autism, LVS Hassocks, are celebrating a 100% pass rate in their first ever A-level Art and Extended Project Qualification results.

The school ensures that students can learn without limits in a calming and appropriate environment that leaves them feeling confident and more independent ready for their next steps, whether that is in further education or training for a job. 

It is important to recognise that taking part in assessments and examinations for many autistic students who live with high levels of anxiety is an incredible achievement. 

LVS Hassocks are proud to announce a 100% pass rate in both subjects. To achieve an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) the students had to complete a 5000 word independent essay on a topic of their choice which ranged from YouTube, HS2, The Krays and 9/11. This demonstrates brilliant independent working and literacy skills.

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Pupils at Eastbourne College are also celebrating, with over half of all grades awarded at A* or A.

Headmaster Tom Lawson, said it was the school's best ever performance for all years when exams were sat in person and a 100% pass rate, with some of the highest grades achieved across STEM subjects, including maths, further maths, physics and economics.

The headmaster said:

“Our target this year was to maintain under exam conditions the 80 per cent of A*-B grades at A-level that were achieved under the self-awarding system of the last two years, when the candidates had advance notice of the question areas and no exam hall pressure.

“We are delighted to be so close to our target and it is impressive to see a cohort of pupils who have never faced public exam pressure show such resilience. This year’s set of results also show that our teacher assessed grades of the last two years were fair.

“I’m thrilled that academic achievement at the College continues to move to an even higher level and would like to congratulate all our hardworking pupils and the tremendous efforts of their teachers.”

James achieved Two A* and one A in History, Music and Politics and Emily, Three A* and one A in Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.  

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The chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s children, young people and skills committee, Councillor Hannah Clare, said:

“I think our A-level students deserve all the praise and encouragement we can give them.

“While the assessment system is now back to normal, their studies were disrupted by the pandemic.

“They have had a very difficult couple of years, and I applaud their commitment and resilience. 

“Staff at our schools, colleges and independent training providers have also risen to the challenges they have faced, and I’m really grateful for all their hard work.

“ For those students who need extra support our schools and colleges are ready to offer support through senior leaders and careers staff. The council’s youth employability team is available on Facebook and Twitter @yesbrightonhove. 

“Students can also drop in to the Youth Employment Hub at Montague House in Kemptown and see an adviser. 

‘We wish all our students well for the next phase of their lives, whether they choose to pursue further study or employment options.

“There is a wide range of vocational courses available in the city for young people. Apprenticeships offer opportunities to earn while you learn and get a strong foothold on the career ladder.” 

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Commenting on the publication of A-level results, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Congratulations must go to pupils and their teachers who have worked so hard in uniquely challenging circumstances to secure today’s results.

“These grades are a reflection of the circumstances in which exams were held and it would be wrong and wholly inaccurate to compare these results to previous years or make comparisons about performance in relation to previous pupil cohorts.

“It will be essential for higher and further education providers and employers to recognise the challenges pupils have faced this year and to act sensitively when considering their place offers or offers of employment to young people

“Young people due to sit qualifications next year have also faced substantial and relatively recent disruption to their learning that can and should be addressed in qualifications arrangements and in forms of wider support. This needs to include greater investment in education recovery.      

“Government plans and funding for education recovery fall far below that seen in other comparable countries.

“The results achieved today were secured largely in spite of, rather than because of, the support received from Government for education recovery programmes. 

“Teachers have pulled out all the stops for their pupils and after a decade of real terms pay erosion, deserve for their hard work to be matched with a restorative above-inflation pay award.”