Students across the borough collected their A Level and BTEC results today

By Marco Marcelline

Smiles and sighs of relief were aplenty as students across the borough received their A Level results today, with sixth form colleges hailing the hard work of their pupils.

The results came as 73,000 fewer top A-level grades were awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland than last year – though there were around 32,000 more top grades awarded this year than in 2019, according to exam boards.

Highams Park College said 82% of their students obtained a place at their first-choice universities, above the national average.

Three Year 13 students at Highams Park achieved a clean sweep of A* grades across the board. Digby Gough-Boyack, one of the school’s senior prefects, achieved three A* grades in Biology, English Literature and Psychology which have enabled him to study Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Oxford. 

Saim Rana, who had surgery during his A level examinations achieved  an A* in Biology, Chemistry and Maths to take up the offer of studying Medicine at Queen Mary University in London. Maggie McKeon achieved 3A*s in Maths, Further Mathematics and Physics and is going to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol.

Nigel Armsby, principal of Highams Park College said: “As a school we are absolutely delighted and incredibly proud of our Year 13 students. They were a fantastic cohort, who thoroughly deserved all that they have achieved in their A level and Level 3 BTEC qualifications. The vast majority of students have got into their first choice university, setting them up for the next stage of their life which I wish them all the best with”.  

Meanwhile, at Walthamstow Academy, students celebrated as they found out they were heading to their first-choice universities. Jenai Allen, who achieved three As in Chemistry, Maths and Physics, will be attending the University of Southampton to study Aerospace Engineering.

Jenai said: “Thanks to my teachers, I was able to obtain great results but in order to achieve your best, you have to put the work in at home as well. I’m pleased to say I’m now going to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Southampton.” 

Other success stories at Walthamstow Academy include David Pupla who achieved three A*s in Computing, Mathematics and Physics and will be attending the University of Manchester to study Computer Science, and Ylli Haliti who achieved two A*s in Chemistry and Mathematics and one A in Physics. Ylli will be going to Imperial College London to study Chemistry with Molecular Physics come autumn.

Across the country, the proportion of top grade A Level results dropped from previous years as pre-Covid marking was reintroduced.

Leyton College said the return to pre-Covid marking had “obviously had an impact on our students” but that “almost two-thirds” of school leavers were awarded top A*, A and B grades or the vocational equivalent.

Among those happy with their results at Leyton College was Rania who secured a place at the University of Oxford to study Law, Adam and James who are both going on to study Economics at University College, London and the London School of Economics respectively and Fawziyah who will be studying medicine at King’s College, London. Of the students who have decided to undertake an apprenticeship, Qasim will be taking up a trainee solicitor programme with the Premier League.

Cllr Kizzy Gardiner, Waltham Forest Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said:  “If you got the results you hoped for, congratulations. And if you missed out, even by a grade or so, I hope that you can be proud of your achievements and the hard work you put into your studies.

“We know the exams were tough this year and that fewer students got top grades, which will be a disappointment for some and cause uncertainty.

“But let me assure you, there are lots of brilliant options to choose from whether it is using the clearing system, considering an apprenticeship or other form of education, employment, or training.

“The knowledge and skills you have developed while studying will provide a strong foundation for your future – I wish you every success.”

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