A-level students across Lancaster and Morecambe district flourish despite challenging times

Staff and students at schools across Lancaster and Morecambe have been celebrating their post-16 results.
LRGS pupils collect their A-level results.LRGS pupils collect their A-level results.
LRGS pupils collect their A-level results.

This year heralds a first for A-level students in the UK, who were the first cohort ever to receive their grades without having sat exams.

The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the coronavirus crisis prompted the government to engage a “triple lock” system, whereby students who receive grades lower than they hoped (based on their teachers’ predictions) can either accept their calculated grade, appeal to receive a valid mock result, or sit autumn exams.

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The move comes after Scotland’s results day was met with criticism from students, parents and teachers alike after the Scottish Qualifications Authority took the decision to lower pupils' Highers grades.

Students at Carnforth High celebrate their A-level results.Students at Carnforth High celebrate their A-level results.
Students at Carnforth High celebrate their A-level results.

Despite this, the deficit created by the algorithm assessment implemented by Ofqual this year means that up to 40 per cent of pupils have still received grades lower than predicted.

Morecambe Bay Academy principal Victoria Michael said: "I am so relieved that the results actually reflect the hard work of our students and that after all the speculation in the news, our results reflect the real change that has taken place at the school."

The Sixth Form at Morecambe Bay Academy has become far more academically rigorous - and it shows.

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This year's highest performers are Holly Russell, who achieved an A* in Art and Photography and a Distinction Star in IT; Aimee Vardy, who achieved A* in Biology, A in Chemistry and A in French; and Catherine Cowan, who achieved As in English Literature, French and Religious Education.

Morecambe Bay Academy pupils celebrate their A-level results.Morecambe Bay Academy pupils celebrate their A-level results.
Morecambe Bay Academy pupils celebrate their A-level results.

Special mention should also be given to Joseph Parkin, who exceeded his targets by nearly two grades overall, going on to achieve As in Biology and Chemistry and a C in Mathematics.

Morecambe Bay Academy reopened in June with social distancing measures in place.

Mrs Michael added: "Results day feels very different this year. The school is undergoing major renovation works to restore the old 1919 part of the building to its former glory, so there is scaffolding and noise everywhere.

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"The students have appointment times to maintain social distancing, and parents have to wait in their cars, but the students are happy.

Morecambe Bay Academy pupils celebrate their A-level results.Morecambe Bay Academy pupils celebrate their A-level results.
Morecambe Bay Academy pupils celebrate their A-level results.

"Many have been given unconditional offers to university this year and despite national uncertainty are hopeful about the future."

Lancaster Royal Grammar School Sixth Form students were congratulated for their achievements 'on a results day like no other before'.

Headmaster Dr Chris Pyle said: “We are enormously proud of our Upper Sixth leavers of 2020, who have contributed so much to the school.

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"This outstanding year group has achieved a huge amount across a whole range of academic and all-round activities.

Celebrations at Our Lady's Catholic College.Celebrations at Our Lady's Catholic College.
Celebrations at Our Lady's Catholic College.

"It was a significant blow for them not to complete their Upper Sixth year, to miss out on the milestones of leaving school, and not to have the opportunity to prove their academic achievement in the A-level exams.

"It is excellent to see them heading to a wonderful array of competitive university courses as well as other options.

"Outstanding grades reflect their hard work and ability, as well as the exceptional teaching which is the hallmark of Lancaster Royal Grammar School.

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"However, some of the school’s assessed grades have been downgraded. This is immensely disappointing for a number of individuals, and we are supporting them as they appeal.

"I know that these talented students will go from strength to strength. Their positive attitudes and the way that they have supported one another in recent months has been exceptional.

"They go with our very best wishes!”

Celebrations at Our Lady's Catholic College.Celebrations at Our Lady's Catholic College.
Celebrations at Our Lady's Catholic College.

Ripley St Thomas CE Academy interim principal Liz Nicholls said: "All of us at Ripley are very proud of how our young people have coped with such a disrupted year and congratulate them on their results.

"We are pleased that final grades are more or less in line with last year and with our centre assessed grades.

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"As expected, following the exam boards’ statistical standardisation, some grades have been adjusted both up and down, however, the overwhelming majority of students have been have successful in progressing to their chosen destinations.

"Over the next few days we will be working to ensure that every student has a clear pathway for next year.

"We are delighted that four students achieved their target grades for Oxford and Cambridge and that three students will be taking up places at university for medicine and one for veterinary science."

Lancaster Girls' Grammar School head Jackie Cahalin said: "Everyone at LGGS would like to pay tribute to our Year 13 students for all the hard work they put into their A-level courses and for the resilience they have shown in these very difficult circumstances.

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"We congratulate them on their results and thank them for all they have contributed to the LGGS community.

"Many students are delighted with their results. However we also recognise that many will feel frustrated that they were not able to prove themselves through sitting their final exams.

"We are disappointed that a number of our students had at least one grade lowered from the Centre Assessment Grades we submitted, which is also true at national level.

"The vast majority of our students are now able to progress onto the next stage of their lives, whether that be university courses, apprenticeships or gap years.

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"They leave LGGS with the skills and knowledge needed to continue to succeed and make a positive contribution to our society. We hope to see them again as a year group at some point in the future. In the meantime we wish them all the very best for the future."

At Carnforth High, pupils were also celebrating.

Principal Tim Iddon said: "We are extremely proud of the excellent results achieved by Year 13 at Carnforth High School this year.

"Carnforth students have, once again, risen to the challenge of the new more rigorous A-levels and vocational courses, achieving higher than national average grades overall.

"All subjects achieved a pass rate of 100 per cent with Media, Business Studies, Sport and Health and Social Care achieving 100 per cent Distinction/Distinction*.

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"The highest achieving student in 2020 is Kezia Lucas who achieved 100 per cent A*-B. Once again, all students who applied, have had their places confirmed in their first choice universities.

"Results this strong would not be possible without the hard work of the staff and students at Carnforth High School and we would like to thank everyone who has been part of our success."

A spokesman for Our Lady's Catholic College said: "We are delighted that despite the missed experiences of their normal rites of passage our Year 13 students have done really well in their A-level and Btec qualifications this year with the vast majority of our students both in Year 13 and Year 12 being awarded the well-deserved grades their teachers and school had predicted for them.

"For one of the first times in recent memory all the students applying to university managed to secure their choice without any needing to go through clearing.

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"We are so pleased for all of them that they can now successfully embark on either their university course or their next career steps and send them congratulations and every best wish for coming through this unforgettable year so well.

"Among the many successful students we send particular congratulations to the following students who have done exceptionally well: Celestine Leadbeater with grades A*, A, A in Maths, Chemistry and Physics; Sarah Stark with grades A, A, A and B in Chemistry, English, Biology and maths; Evie Carradice with grades A, A, B in Chemistry, Maths and Physics; Ellie Johnson with grades D*, D*, D* in Travel & Tourism, Health & Social Care and Business; Scarlett Jackson with grades D*, D*, D in Travel & Tourism, Health & Social Care and Applied Science; Caitlin Kelly with grades D*, D*, D in Performing Arts, Health & Social Care and Applied Science."

*We will add other schools to this story as we receive them.

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