We had thought that A-Level Results Day was tumultuous but by the time we go to the Y11 Results Day there was a whole new level of challenge to deal with. Indeed, this has continued throughout the week and will unfortunately be with us for some time yet.
Even so, whether it be exam, algorithm, or Centre Assessed Grade, there were many well-deserved success stories amongst our Year 11s whose grades reflected their clear ability and certain potential.
Naturally, there were some high fliers in terms of top-ranked grades including:
Anneka Horne – 6 x 9, 2 x 8, 2 x Dist
Charlotte Neal – 6 x 9, 1 x 8, 1 x 7, 1 x Dist*, 1 x Merit
Ben Wykes – 6 x 9, 2 x 8, 1 x Dist, 1 x Merit
Erin Staite – 6 x 9, 1 x 8, 2 x 7, 1 x Merit
Emily Thompson – 5 x 9, 4 x 8, 1 x Dist
Conor Preston – 5 x 9, 3 x 8, 1 x Dist*, 1 x Pass
Daniel Bond – 3 x 9, 4 x 8, 1 x 7, 2 x Merit
Penny Mace – 1 x 9, 6 x 8, 2 x 7, 1 x Merit
Georgia Piper – 2 x 9, 4 x 8, 2 x 7, 1 x Dist, 1 x Merit
Poppy Spanner – 1 x 9, 6 x 8, 1 x 7, 1 x Dist, 1 x Merit
* These vocational grades are provisional and may well change next week when Pearson complete their re-alignment of results.
Equally, impressive was the huge leaps in progress made by some students in school since their starting points including:
Lauren Riley – + 27 grades
Charlie-Lou Bannister – + 27 grades
Poppy Newton – +24 grades
Erin Fry – + 24 grades
Isobel Milne – + 24 grades
Megan Plover – + 23 grades
Emily Longmore – + 23 grades
Tabitha O’Sullivan – + 21 grades
Shuyeb Khan – + 20 grades
Harry O’Donnell – + 18 grades
* Again, these scores are provisional as the vocational grades may well change next week when Pearson complete their re-alignment of results.
In recent years, the school has achieved outstanding results – topping the county Performance Tables in both GCSEs and A-Levels for state schools last year – and these students certainly reflect those high standards. Despite mixed messages in the press, these students did not have an easy-ride and would have much preferred to have had a ‘normal’ school year.
Sam Sullivan, Assistant Headteacher, said: “These results came about in a different way to usual but the vast majority of our students were working hard, totally on board, and they thoroughly merit their grades. We were thorough in our processes in awarding grades and our students got what we believe they were capable of. Make no mistake that there is a lot of talent in this cohort.”
Matt Allman, Headteacher, added: “It was a different Results Day but as usual I was drawn to the students who overcame adversity: the battle for the 4 in Maths, the recovery from illness, the incredible home problems, that could have all undone success, and it was a pleasure to see faces light up. Equally, there are others who have not got what they sought and we are disappointed for them. The ideal situation for us is for students to sit exams and hold themselves accountable. Regardless though, whatever the outcomes, every student will now have to focus on their next stage and prove themselves all over again. Every Results Day is the same – there is a moment to celebrate, a moment to reflect, then a need to crack on and go again.”
As a school, we place a great emphasis on keeping manageable student numbers, knowing each student well, and tracking their strengths and weaknesses at every step to enable them to peak. These students have bought into this approach 100% and their success makes every plan, initiative and intervention our team have put in place worthwhile.
Carrie Cain, Assistant Headteacher, said: “We have been supporting our students with their university and apprenticeships and after wading through the busy UCAS lines things have fallen in to place. Isabella Acton and Laila Sirag gained their Oxbridge places, we have students venturing across the UK, whilst others have secured places closer to home, and the next generation of medics, engineers and lawyers will have Lichfield students leading the way.”
Matt Allman, Headteacher, said: “We are delighted in so many cases, and it has been wonderful to talk to thrilled students and parents, but we also recognise exceptional families that will have tough evenings tonight as they fall victim to anomalies and discrepancies in these results. Any national algorithm is going to hit some individuals and subjects unfairly and no school will be untainted by this. We do not advocate A*s for everyone, but we do support equality in opportunity, and it would be wrong to say this has taken place.”
