Exceptional A-Level Results Across the Trust

Today is A-Level and Level-3 results day, and after everything 2020 and 2021 has thrown at our learners we are immensely proud of what they have achieved. Our two secondary schools, the Kings of Wessex Academy and Nailsea Secondary School, were both open early this morning to welcome learners in to collect the envelopes containing their results.

The Kings of Wessex:

After an exceptional year, students at Kings Sixth are celebrating their fantastic A Level and Level 3 vocational results today. The students have shown great resilience and determination and have worked incredibly hard to achieve these excellent results. Their achievements reflect their commitment and effort across the breadth of their studies. 

Given the current situation, statistical trends have not been included; the focus being on individuals’ achievements. Students should be extremely proud of their successes, especially given the exceptional challenges that have faced over the past two years. 

Amongst this year group’s superb results, there was incredible individual performances. Benjamin Cave Calland achieved four A* and has secured a place at Oxford University to study Chemistry. Grace Dodd is going on to study Film Studies and English Literature at the University of Manchester having achieved four A* grades. Sarah Moreman achieved an incredible four A* grades and is planning to study Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh. A place at Glasgow University to study Literature with English Languages and Linguistics also awaits Thea Scott who achieved a fantastic three A* grades in English Language, Literature, Sociology and an A grade in Business Studies.

Further excellent results were achieved by Amy Anderson, Lawrence Atton, Thomas Bishop, Eleanor Bray, Caitlin Tolton all of whom achieved three A* grades. Thomas Bishop takes up a prestigious apprenticeship with Dyson whilst university places at esteemed institutions await the others.

Kings’ students also demonstrated exceptional progress since the end of their GCSE studies, with many having worked incredibly hard to secure their future next steps. Amongst these many achievements, Madison Ballam is planning to study Cardiac Physiology in Southampton, Sophie Burrows will study Psychology at Manchester and Rhys Blake has secured a place to study Medicine.

This has been a challenging year for all our students and these fantastic results highlight their determination and resolve. Throughout their sixth form career, they have experienced disruption and lost learning, restrictions in accessing wider opportunities, and limited chances to visit their desired future destinations. Despite this, each one has managed to secure their next life stages, including highly competitive apprenticeships and exceptional higher education places.  This student group have been fantastic ambassadors for the Academy, our community and young people.

Headteacher, David Wiltshire, commented:

“I am delighted for the students that their hard work and enthusiasm has been rewarded. I am deeply proud of their resilience and it is fantastic to be able to celebrate their successes. I’d like to thank parents for their support throughout their son or daughter’s schooling, especially during this last academic year. I wish them every success for their future. I am certain each of them will build upon their successes and be highly successful as they pursue their chosen pathway”.

David Wiltshire, Headteacher

Nailsea Secondary School:

Nailsea School is pleased to report some outstanding achievements by its students in their A level and other Level 3 qualifications this summer. Over the last two years, the school has extended the number of vocational qualifications on offer for students alongside traditional A Levels, enabling assessment to take place in a variety of ways, with all methods enabling great progression for further study/careers in chosen fields.

For example:

• Robbie A secured 4 top A* grades in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths and is heading to the University of Bath to study Maths
• Meg M was delighted to confirm her university place at UWE studying Diagnostic Radiography following her 2 A* grades and a Distinction * in Biology, History and Health and Social Care
• Tobias F will be starting his career with the police after securing A*, Distinction * and Distinction in Criminology, Health and Social Care and ICT
• Rebecca E and Amy D both showed that some personally challenging periods in year 10 and 11 did not prevent them excelling at A Level achieving A, Distinction, B (in Criminology, Health and Social Care, Geography) and A*, A and B (in Psychology, History and Biology) respectively. Rebecca is going on to study Geography at University of Bristol and Amy to study Physiotherapy at Worcester.

Dee Elliott, the school’s headteacher said:

“Our staff are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year. All of the teachers and support staff worked tirelessly to ensure students were able to progress onto their choice of further education and study. Special mention also to the key role played by parents and carers who have supported their children and our school during this period. This group of students are particularly special for me, as I started my time at Nailsea with them, and I very much look forward to hearing about the future successes of this amazing cohort of young people.”

Dee Elliot, Headteacher

This year, following the cancellation of exams, grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades, against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards. The government is not publishing performance data for any schools or colleges this year due to the varying impact of the pandemic.

We are so incredibly proud of every student’s achievements in their A-Level and Level 3 assessments. We wish each and every one of them well in their future endeavours, and look forward to welcoming them back to celebrate their achievements in the years to come!