Our sixth form students were celebrating this morning, with an outstanding set of A level results. The results are a testament to the hard work and determination that students have shown throughout their studies, despite being the first year group nationally to sit A level exams since 2019 due to the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.
Over on the Ashington site 39% of our students received an A*or Distinction* and 73% achieved at least an A or a Distinction. These grades mean that 81% of our students achieved their first-choice university offer, in what has been a very competitive year. Overall, 84% of our students are now headed to university, (27% to the most prestigious Russell Group universities) and 16% have places on Apprenticeship programmes in their chosen field.
On the Bedlington site a whopping 32% of entries were at grades A or above, with the average A level grade at a B and the average vocational qualification grade at a Distinction*. The majority of students have now secured their first choice university place or destination with 40% heading for prestigious Russell Group universities, despite competition for these places being fiercer than ever.
Here are some of the fantastic results our students received...
Rosie Hurley achieved an outstanding set of results with A* across the board in biology, chemistry and maths, securing a place at Glasgow University to study medicine.
Emily Berkley achieved an exceptional set of results with a full house of A*s - safe to say Emily is over to moon and will now prepare for her move to Oxford University to study chemistry. Louise Mather who achieved an impressive two A*s and an A and will now prepare to study maths at Durham University.
Other top performers include:
Maddison Dodds who achieved 3 grade Bs and is going on to study biomedical science at Newcastle University.
Sophie French who was awarded grades AAB and will now prepare to study environmental science at York University.
Olaf Zieba who received two As and B, earning his place at Newcastle University to study biomedical sciences.
Ben Alderson who received two As and an A* and is going on to study economics and Northumbria University.
Grace Brown who was awarded A, B, Distinction and is going on to study creative writing at Sunderland University.
Guy Henderson who achieved two Bs and a Distinction* earning his place at Northumbria University to study economics and finance.
Emma Jewitt who received an A* and two Bs and will now prepare to embark on a paralegal apprenticeship.
Georgia Leo who was awarded two Bs and a Distinction* is now off to study sport & exercise science at the University of Hull.
Callum Wilson who was awarded an A* and two Bs and is heading off to Newcastle University for a combined honours.
Beth Candlish who achieved two Distinctions and a Distinction* and is taking a well-deserved break by having a gap year.
Cameron Younger who received a B, a Distinction and a Distinction* and will now prepare to study graphic design at Northumbria University.
Abbi Tate who achieved three grade As and is going on to study biology at Newcastle University.
Robert Foggo who was awarded two grade As and a Distinction* and will be going to study geography at London School of Economics.
Adam Hogg achieved an A in film, an A in drama and theatre as well as a Distinction* in creative media earning his place to study theatre and performance at Leeds Beckett University.
Rachel Scott who achieved three grade Bs will now go on to study philosophy and theology at Durham University.
Morgan Johnstone who was awarded grades two As and a B and will now prepare to study environmental science at York University.
Ellie Wright who achieved grades A, C and Distinction* earning her place to study nursing at Lincoln University.
Aleysha Harness who achieved grades A, B and Distinction* and will go on to study psychology at Newcastle University.
Other notable grades:
Amy Rennison’s A* in music
Lauren Stacey and Alex Willcox’s Distinction* in sport studies
Danny Broady and Jack Wakenshaw’s Distinction* in business studies
Several of our students are also heading off to other exciting destinations. Logan Reed is making a move across the pond for a prestigious football scholarship in the USA, while Amy Short is embarking on an apprenticeship with law firm Savage Silk.
Joanna Lamb, Head of School at Bedlington Academy said:
“I am extremely proud of all our students, who have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these results after the challenges of the pandemic. Their dedication and resilience, along with the high quality teaching and support they have received from our talented staff, has been key to their success. I wish all our students the best of luck in their next steps.”
Speaking of her students’ success, Yvonne Weston, Headteacher at Ashington Academy, said:
"These results show what our students are capable of and they are so deserving of them. They have worked really hard, overcome some very challenging circumstances over the past two years and showing great resilience. I am incredibly proud of the commitment and determination they have shown in the run up to these exams and was absolutely delighted to share in their celebrations this morning. I would also like to thank parents and carers for their support, we could not have achieved this without them."
Laura Smith, Assistant Head teacher for Sixth Form also thanked staff and praised students saying:
"Who could have known how these two years would pan out, but our students have risen to the challenge. We are so pleased that their exam results reflect what we already knew; they are a brilliant group of young people who have a bright future ahead of them. Thank you also to our teachers who have gone above and beyond to support students through remote learning and the pandemic to get to this stage."