Impact of Covid affects Bailiwick A-level results
STUDENTS were celebrating individual success in their A-level and IB results yesterday, but island-wide, results have dropped.
The overall Bailiwick A*-E and IB equivalent pass rate was 98.0%, with 21.9% of entries receiving an A or A* grade.
This year group were getting their GCSEs during the height of the pandemic in 2021, which were teacher-assessed.
Last year’s A-levels were benchmarked between 2019 and 2021 levels, but this year saw the return of exams and an expected dip in results.
Guernsey’s pass rate had not dropped below 99% in more than 10 years until the latest results. The UK also suffered a drop, to a 97.2% pass rate.
Education, Sport & Culture president Andrea Dudley-Owen said the results showed how hard students had worked to receive their A-level, IB, technical and vocational exam results.
‘I have no doubt that many students and their parents and carers will have been quite nervous in the lead up to today, as Level 3 results are a significant step in the education journey before students either move into higher education or the world of work,’ she said.
It is understood that Education is examining the results to fully understand what led to the pass rate falling.
Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre principal Kieran James said students had shown tenacity to achieve their grades.
‘This cohort was the second to enter our sixth form on the basis of teacher-assessed GCSE grades,’ he said.
‘They have experienced significant disruption to their learning as a result of the Covid pandemic and their achievements in our IB qualifications in July and in A-levels today are testament to their hard work and determination.’
At the schools, students were just happy the wait was over.
Many students downloaded their results online, but among those collecting their little white envelope at Ladies’ College was Grace Davison, who achieved an A* in psychology, an A in religious studies and a B in maths.
This was enough to study a psychology degree course at Exeter University.
‘A lot of my friends are here and it’s quite a nice occasion,’ she said.
‘Everyone I know is really happy with their results and I’m so happy about my grades because I was a bit unsure about how my exams had gone.’
Blanchelande student Holly Robbins, 18, achieved two A*s and an A in psychology, religious studies and history, as well as an A* in her extended project qualification on philosophy.
‘I’m delighted, I hadn’t really done external exams before because of Covid, so I put in a lot of effort and I’m really pleased.’
She will be heading to the University of Exeter in September to study philosophy.
‘I’m excited but I’m feeling more relieved than anything, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with my family this evening.’
