A BUDDING engineer, a wannabe finance manager and a teenager who can speak five languages have all secured their places at their chosen universities following a very different Post-16 results day for students in Derby.
Those collecting their A-Level and BTEC results from The Bemrose School Sixth Form, in Uttoxeter New Road, had to adhere to social distancing guidelines when visiting the city school. Others, who had chosen to receive their results online, did so from the comfort of their own homes.
And as well as following the two-metre social distancing rule and one-way system put in place by the school, the 2020 cohort of students are the first in England to receive A-Level results having not actually sat a final exam.
Hamza Hussain (left) and Hasnain Mahmood (both 18) are off to their chosen universities after collecting their results from The Bemrose School
Overall, A-Level results show higher A and A* results but 36% of entries in England had a lower grade than teachers had predicted with a further 3% down two grades.
Nineteen-year-old Donia M’Hamdi received her results via email, whilst on holiday with family in Italy.
The teenager left her native Italy for England three years ago and could barely speak any English.
Now, just three years later, Donia has completed GCSEs in Maths and English and just received two As in Arabic and Italian at A-Level as well as a distinction* in business studies and merit in health and social care.
Donia will return to England next week and will study law at Nottingham Trent University in the Autumn.
She said: “My parents are from Tunisia but moved to Italy to start a family almost 20 years’ ago.
“The schools are good in Italy but for my generation, the prospects aren’t as promising as they are in England. So my Dad took the decision to move the family – me, mum and my two brothers Karim (14) and Ryan (8), who also attend The Bemrose School, to England three years ago. We have been here since then.
“We are all very happy at The Bemrose School and have received so much support from them. Mr Scott (head teacher Andy Scott) has helped me a lot and I am very grateful. He gave me the resources I needed to do well in my studies.”
Almost 40% of schools in England and Wales have seen their results downgraded and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has promised a ‘robust appeals process’.
The Department for Education has said that 97% of A-level students would receive their grade predicted by teachers or be within one grade of it.
And while most students were pleased with their results, The Bemrose School will be appealing on behalf of some students, including 18-year-old Hamza Hussain.
Although he has been accepted onto the Material Engineering course at Loughborough University which he wanted to study following excellent results after completing a BTEC in Applied Science and ICT, he is disappointed to have been graded U in his sociology A-Level.
“For me, it’s a bitter sweet day,” said Hamza, “I’ve had just two hours’ sleep; I was so nervous about coming into school to get my results.
“I’m happy that I have got my place at Loughborough University – my first-choice university – and very grateful that they have accepted my application.
“But I do feel a little cheated after receiving a U in my sociology A-Level.
“School are appealing, as I was graded a D in my mock exams and wanted at least a C; I was confident of getting a C at A-level.
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“I’m unsure as to whether or not I will re-sit the exam in the Autumn. We were the first year to sit the new-style GCSEs – when they changed the marking system to numbers as opposed to letters – and now this.”
Hasnain Mahmood said he felt ‘relieved’ to have achieved the grades he needs to study finance at Nottingham Trent University. The 18-year-old secured a pass in Applied Science and merits in ICT and business studies will look for work experience over the summer.
Marcus Wesley, Head of Post-16 at the Derby school, said: “Despite the uncertainty that remains over some final grades, all Sixth Formers aiming for university have secured well-deserved places. Several of our students will now be starting apprenticeships as they have been successful in their qualifications.”
Andy Scott, Secondary Headteacher said: “Despite the uncertain times our students found themselves in this year, they remained committed to their studies and this hard work has paid off with 63% of results at Grade C or better and 17% at A/A* for A levels. In applied qualifications, 85% of students achieved at least a merit with 28% of students achieving at least a distinction.”
The Bemrose School offers a variety of Post-16 subjects for those wanting to further their education after completing their GCSEs. They include A-levels in Sociology, Mathematics and English Language as well as BTEC programmes in Applied Science, Forensic Science, IT, Business Studies and Child Development. They also offer level 1 and 2 courses in Childcare, students are celebrating a 100% completion and pass rate in Childcare this year.
Executive headteacher Neil Wilkinson said: “We are a school on a journey of improvement year on year. Our results have improved over the past 3 years. Our students have worked extremely hard this year during what has been a challenging time for everyone. Some of the grades awarded do not reflect the staff and students hard work and ability and we will challenge these grades.
“Whilst we will be appealing the grades on behalf of some students, we want to thank them for their commitment and hard work and wish them the best of luck as they move onto the next stage of their education at University, apprenticeship and work.”
ENDS
