This summer, students across the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, came together to collect their exam results.
On 18th August, students of Holcombe Grammar School, The Victory Academy and Goodwin Academy in Kent and Plymouth High School for Girls and Plympton Academy in Plymouth, received their A-Level marks.
Our schools saw successes in a range of subjects, with many seeing an over 80% of students achieving A*- C grades, or equivalent.
The departing cohort showed great tenacity when facing the disruption in their educations and achieved some fantastic grades as a result.
Goodwin Student Maisie finished the year with three distinctions in Cambridge Technicals, Health and Social Care and BTEC Psychology, saying she is elated with her results.
“I feel very proud of my achievements, I have been fully supported through my time at Goodwin. The teachers have been brilliant and I have really enjoyed my education at Goodwin. I am excited about the next chapter in my life” she said.While Molly from The Victory Academy, cried tears of joy at her results, thrilled to be continuing her studies at Canterbury Christchurch University, studying Biology with the hope to return to Victory to teach Science in the future.
Many of our A-Level students are now progressing on to their chosen universities to study a variety of subjects, such as Dentistry, Natural Sciences, Psychology, Nursing, Criminology, Ocean Exploration and Surveying, Business Management, Teaching, Sports Coaching, Economics, Politics, Law and many more.
Others are moving on to apprenticeships or full-time employment in varying fields or taking gap years between their studies.
Simon Underdown, Headteacher at Plymouth High School for Girls complemented the cohort, saying “I am delighted for our year 13 students, they have shown resilience and determination in the face of significant challenges. This was the year group that missed out on being in school for the last part of their GCSE courses, yet they approached their A levels with maturity and dedication.”
The celebrations did not stop there though, as the following week saw more accolades come through as all seven secondary schools received their GCSE results. On 25th August, students across the country visited their schools to find out their grades, after being the first year of students to physically sit the exams since 2019.
It’s been inspiring to see young people persevere through unforeseen circumstances and achieve their desired grades and ambitions. The schools reflected that students have worked tirelessly to make excellent progress and have truly excelled themselves. They should feel extremely proud of their achievements.
Further to the results day, the Portsmouth Academy said goodbye to their first cohort of boys who completed their studies after joining the school five years ago when it became co-educational.
Robin, who made history as the school’s very first Head Boy, said he was sad to be leaving but is excited for what the future holds. Leavers praised the staff for their continued support and positivity, thanking the school for their help over the last five years.
And finally, for our students who have left primary education and are on their way to secondary schools across the Trust, they performed very well in their SATs – especially following the challenges of the pandemic.
Natalie Sheppard, Director of Education for Portsmouth, praised the Year 6 students across the Trust, saying “’I am deeply proud of the resilience our Year 6 children have shown in their deep learning of reading, writing, maths, spelling and grammar. From talking to the children, I know how much their teachers have helped them, from very low confidence points to feeling like they could do their very best in the national tests. Our teachers and year leaders across our schools have worked together to find the best ways to help our children bounce back from the pandemic and be secondary ready. We are sending them on to the next phase of education confident in their own abilities and ready for a broader curriculum.”
Our students – whatever their stage of education – now prepare to take that next step in their learning and we’re incredibly proud. Their opportunities are endless.
