Sussex students celebrate 'record-breaking' A-level results

Thousands of teenagers celebrated after receiving their results to be accepted on to their chosen university courses, with Roedean School in Brighton, Newman College in Hove and Seaford Head all reporting their best ever exam results.

Across the country, A-level grades for students were slightly down from pandemic highs, but remained above 2019 levels - when students last sat exams.

Students flocked to their schools to collect their results and celebrate with their friends yesterday after two years of challenges due to the pandemic.

This year’s results were the first to be based on exam results since 2019, with students assessed by teachers over the last two years due to Covid-19.

Among some of the best performers were twins Victoria and Valeria Badham from Crowborough, who achieved a haul of A*s to go to Cambridge, and head boy at Brighton College Shaun Pexton, who will be continuing his studies at Yale University.

'I contracted Covid the night before my chemistry exam'

Students across Sussex overcame great challenges to achieve impressive exam results, including language barriers, a life-changing medical diagnosis, and even a bout of Covid.

Olivia Taggart contracted coronavirus during the exam season but still managed to secure two A*s and two As.

The Roedean student from Twineham will study maths at Bristol University and said: “I was feeling really tired and wondered if it was the dreaded Covid.

“It was late at night, the night before my chemistry paper, and I did a test and got a positive.

“I couldn’t believe the timing of it as I had not actually had Covid before.

“I think it was a combination of my predicted grades, the papers I had already sat and all the assessments we had done previously that helped with the grades. I am just so relieved.”

Olga Frosyou moved to the UK with her family from Greece to escape the economic crisis in the country and spoke no English when she arrived in Woodingdean.

However, the Lewes Old Grammar School student managed to secure an A* in German, an A in chemistry and a B in biology to go to medical school.

Francesca Evans, of Burgess Hill Girls School, achieved three A*s despite being diagnosed with type one diabetes just weeks before her exams. She will take a year out to travel before studying English at Cambridge.

'Thank goodness it's all over'

Lewes Old Grammar School student Belle Richmond, who has landed a place at Cambridge to study archaeology, said the effects of the pandemic made studying over the last two years quite difficult.

She said: “It was pretty terrifying because you felt like you never knew what was coming next - one minute at school, the next at home online and all the while worrying if you would actually get to take the exams, especially after the cancelled GCSEs in 2020.

“I guess it was the same for everyone in those terms, so we just had to try our best and see what happens.

“The school was great in taking care of us during online lessons and making sure we were happy so that really helped - thank goodness it’s all over.”

Despite the challenges faced by students across the county, pupils felt relief that the hard work paid off.

Roedean student Tuhina Anoop will be heading to LSE next September after securing a paid year’s internship at investment bank JP Morgan.

She said: “I had to be really focused and structured throughout the online learning, but my school played a big part in that because they were so quick to get everything up and running for online classes.

“I’m so happy with my results and really looking forward to doing a year with JP Morgan - it was really challenging to get my place, so it feel like all my hard work has paid off.”

Ukrainian refugee secures place at university

Although he did not receive A-level results, Ukrainian refugee Grisha Sheldunov secured a place at UCL to study chemistry after joining Brighton College through a special scholarship scheme.

Grisha, who fled the country with his mum and younger brother after the start fo the Russian invasion, said he was surprised that college staff were eager to help him pursue his academic goals.

He said: “Lots of people wanted to help me - it was quite surprising as we didn’t have this sort of help available in Ukraine, the culture is different.”

Pupils receive first T level results

Students across the county also received the first ever T-level results, a qualification equivalent to three A-levels, offering pupils practical and knowledge-based learning and on-the-job experience.

Chichester College, which was among the first to offer the new qualifications, saw a 100 per cent pass rate, with over half of pupils achieving merits and five distinctions.

Helen Loftus, principal at the college, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see our first T-level students receiving their results today, having worked so hard and paved the way for those coming after them - and to record a 100 per cent pass rate for our first T-level students is remarkable. 

“They have worked so hard through challenging times, navigating industry placements during a global pandemic and producing high-quality work throughout. They should be so proud of what they have achieved.”

Deputy council leader congratulates students

Brighton and Hove City Council's deputy leader Hannah Clare, who chairs the council's children, young people and skills committee, said the achievement of students in the city was impressive, performing above the national average.

She said: "I think our A-level students deserve all the praise and encouragement we can give them.

"While the assessment system is now back to normal, their studies were disrupted by the pandemic. They have had a very difficult couple of years, and I applaud their commitment and resilience.

"Staff at our schools, colleges and independent training providers have also risen to the challenges they have faced, and I’m really grateful for all their hard work.

"We wish all our students well for the next phase of their lives, whether they choose to pursue further study or employment options."