A-levels success story in the toughest of years

It is a combined effort that tops the table of A Level and equivalent pass rates in the Bailiwick for the last ten years.

It also beats the England's pass rate of 98.3%.

30.9% of A Level and IB certificate entries received A*/A or equivalent, compared to the UK's 27.9%.

This year’s cohort at the Sixth Form Centre of 176 students achieved a 99.5% pass rate at A Level and 100% for IB subject certificates. 25.5% of grades were A*/A or equivalent.

A significant number of students complemented these results with additional qualifications like Level 3 core mathematics and the Extended Project Qualification.

Similarly, the year saw excellent results across the board for Level 3 students at the Guernsey College of Further Education, part of the Guernsey Institute.

The overall provisional pass rate is 94% for full time Level 3 completing students.

However, some results are still being received as due to delays in this year’s processes. 54% of students on graded programmes achieved Distinction or Distinction* grades, which are equivalent to A and A* grades at A Level.

34% of those students are continuing to higher education (including university), a higher number than in previous years.

7% are remaining at Guernsey College of Further Education to study other qualifications such as apprenticeships or professional qualifications, 32% students have secured local employment, and 27% are seeking employment.

While students did not sit the exams as a result of Covid-19, an assessment of all of their work across their studies in the last two years has been made to help determine their grade.

This change is in line with the approach taken in the UK as it was overseen by exams regulator Ofqual.

The assessment was made locally, and then sent to UK exam boards for review, where they were compared with assessments from around the country.

All of the grades published so far are preliminary grades, which could be subject to change as a result of appeals processes.

Particularly this year, following the announcement of the 'triple lock' process, students disappointed with their results may have the chance to appeal on the grounds of their mock results.

Results for the IB diploma programme were released in July.

President of Education, Sport & Culture Deputy Matt Fallaize congratulated all of this year's Level 3 cohort on behalf of his committee.

'They have achieved another set of highly encouraging results, a due reward for all of their hard work, and their resilience throughout the last six months.

'The importance of the work done by teachers, lecturers and support staff to support the students through their two years of A Level, IB, vocational or other Level 3 study cannot be overstated, and the process has only been made more difficult by the pandemic,' he said.

'I am sure it is a relief for everyone involved to see they still achieved such a level of excellence - well done to all.'