A-levels 2020: Havant and South Downs College pupils off to Oxford and Manchester after bagging top marks
PANDEMIC woes failed to prevent pupils from a college bagging top marks in their A-levels – and places at some of the world’s most acclaimed universities.
In a noticeably toned-down results day, hordes of nervous teenagers – many wearing face masks – went to Havant and South Downs College to collect their grades.
For most, it had been almost six months since they last stepped foot into the campus after the coronavirus outbreak saw exams axed.
But the months of worry and anxiety was over in a heartbeat, as teenagers ripped open their brown envelopes and collected their results.
Portsmouth’s Katherine Lai, 18, was among the top of the class, scooping a stunning clutch of marks – three A*s in English literature, history and politics in all.
She’s now off to study history and politics at St Anne’s College, Oxford, and couldn’t be more thrilled.
‘I didn’t expect this at all,’ she said. ‘If I’m honest, I was happy that I didn’t have to take exams. Living through a pandemic and having to deal with all the uncertainties of it, when you’re 18 and really don’t know anything, would have made the exams so much more nerve wracking.’
Delighted dad Tak Lai was overjoyed at his daughter’s success and added: ‘I’m so happy. What are the chances a girl from Portsmouth would get into one of the world’s best universities – 5,000 to one? A million to one? I’m just so proud.’
This year’s results saw 53 per cent of pupils securing the top A* to B or equivalent grades compared to 54 per cent in 2019.
The overall pass rate of 97.9 per cent was up slightly on the 97 per cent achieved last year.
Mike Gaston, principal and chief executive of the college, said: ‘This has been a hugely testing time for both staff and students. But I’m incredibly proud of all they have achieved.’
Tech wizard Jack Strange, of Denmead, has set his sights on a future career in military intelligence after bagging A*s in maths and further maths, and As in computer science and physics.
The 18-year-old, who is now off to study a combined masters course at the University of Manchester, said: ‘After hearing all the bad things in the news about the results, I was shaking. I was really nervous. But I’m really happy now.’
Friend Jude Ramsbottom, 18, achieved three As and a B – enough to secure a place at the University of Bath to study physics.
‘I was terrified to collect my results,’ he added. ‘Now I feel pretty darn good.’
Some students, despite getting impressive grades, just missed the mark on a university place, however.
With predicted grades of two A*s, an A and a B, 18-year-old Natalie Benham, 18, of Waterlooville, had her heart set on the University of Bath.
‘I needed either an A* AA or AAAB and I got two As and two Cs so I didn’t get in,’ she said. ‘I couldn’t believe it. I cried a lot.’
She is now planning to appeal her results, which were among thousands nationwide that were downgraded from predicted marks by teachers.
Suki Dhesi, head of Havant campus and vice-principal, said the college would support all those who missed out and added: ‘We’re working hard to give students the right advice to make sure they can secure the grades they need to go onto their future destination.’
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