THERE will no doubt be some sore heads this morning after students celebrated their record-breaking exam results.

The proportion of A-level entries awarded an A grade or higher rose after exams were cancelled for the second year in a row due to coronavirus.

Students were given grades determined by teachers, rather than exams, with pupils only assessed on what they have been taught during the pandemic.

Peter Kyle MP said the wonderful grades reported across Brighton and Hove were a testament to “talent and hard work”.

While this is true, it is also down to the determination and resilience of young people that allowed them push and strive for their dreams under incredibly difficult circumstances.

This cohort of A-level students have had to deal with online learning, separation from their friends and the uncertainty of what another lockdown may mean for their education – and still they succeeded.

For the first time, female maths students overtook boys in the number of A* grades achieved, figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland show.

And a record number of students have secured a place on their first-choice university course.

Their final few years of schooling may not have been how they imagined, and while the results will not make up for the lost years, they are so well deserved.

All of this considered, the Class of 2021 should be applauded for their achievements and wished every success for the future.

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