Ashton Sixth Form College students are celebrating receiving their A-Level results today (Tuesday) following an unprecedented year.

Almost two-thirds of students achieved the highest grades: A*, A & B, while the pass rate was over 99 per cent.

Almost 85 per cent of BTEC and other level three qualifications achieved the highest grades with a 100 per cent pass rate.

After examinations were cancelled in January, it was announced that students would be graded by their teachers, against a set of national standards approved by examination boards.

Anton McGrath, Principal at Ashton Sixth Form, praised the resilience of his students, who had studied in a year like no other.

He said: “They’ve done fantastically well again under trying circumstances. It’s been quite a tumultuous year.

“A lot of things changed and there were a lot of things students had to do differently but they’ve come out and got some fantastic results which demonstrate their ability and their aptitude.

“We’ve spent a lot of time, energy and effort on this and the teaching staff that have awarded grades on this have done it very carefully, it’s been completely evidence driven so they’ve not been plucked out of the air.”

Anton says that he sympathises with his students who have missed out on the typical sixth form college experience. Home learning has meant that many have not been able to participate in the usual groups and socialise with friends.

“The bit they’ve missed out on really is the sixth form college experience” he said.

“The work experience, the enrichment, the sporting opportunities. All those sorts of things that make up a rounded college education. Some of the second years in particular have missed out on a lot of that but its not stopping them progressing, they’re going on to the things they want to do and its looking like the vast majority of our students have got what they need to progress onto whatever they want to do next year.”

With students isolated at home for much of the year, the wellbeing of students has been a higher priority than ever, with a comprehensive package of support offered by the college.

Anton explained: “This year in particular that has been at the forefront.

“We work very hard to ensure that our students are supported and if they got to a point where they’re struggling we had our support network in place. We have senior tutors, councillors that we employ just to make sure that students were pulled back on track.

“They’re at home alone often for long periods of time, it’s making sure we keep that community contact so they feel as though they belong to the Ashton Sixth Form Community.”

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