Delight as Tupton Hall School students celebrate A-Level results after ‘traumatic end’ to Post-16 experience

Overall, the percentage of A* to A students at Tupton Hall was 28.5 per cent, with over half of students (53.9 per cent) achieving A* to B grades.

Head of Sixth Form, Charlotte Burton, said: “These students had only just started their Year 12 studies with us when they experienced the upheaval of the pandemic. The exams might not have taken place, but the assessments that replaced them were just as demanding and rigorous.

"The students have worked incredibly hard for these grades, especially after crucial Year 13 classroom time was replaced with remote learning and virtual lessons.

“Being a teenager through these unprecedented times has been fraught with challenges, but it is vital to highlight just how amazing and adaptable the students have been. Their support of each other and their daily engagement with school has been fantastic.

"Each student has overcome their individual challenges and they should be incredibly proud of themselves.”

Many Tupton Hall students are now heading to universities across the country to study subjects as wide ranging as meteorology, primary school teaching, oceanography, adventure film making, medicine, sociology and law and criminology.

MORE: LIVE: A-Level results day 2021 as students across Derbyshire find out their grades

Others are beginning their careers by embarking on apprenticeships in fields such as business management, the post office and policing.

Andrew Knowles, headteacher of Tupton Hall School, said: “We are delighted for our students after a traumatic end to their Post 16 experience with us. Their efforts and hard work over the two years of study have been duly rewarded. We are all very proud of this wonderful group of individuals.

"I would also like to thank our highly skilled staff and supportive parents and families who have supported our students throughout this time.”

Reece Hewitt studied four A-Levels, securing A*’s in Maths and Further Maths and A’s in Chemistry and Physics.

In September, he plans on studying Maths at the University of Durham.

"The teachers were always accessible throughout the pandemic, which was reassuring,” he said. “No matter how big or small your concern or question, they would always reply as fast as possible. Whilst the academic side of the Sixth Form was brilliant, the friendly people at Tupton Hall made the experience for me.”

Lucy Astell was awarded an A* Geography, A* in Law and another A* in Psychology, and will head to University of Derby to study MEdu (in curriculum enhancement) with Qualified Teacher Status.

She said: “The main thing about Tupton Hall Sixth Form for me is the sense of community. Everybody works together to support each other. The teachers go above and beyond to help students, and it’s good to know there’s always someone there to help if or when you need it.”

George Weaver achieved 3 A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Law.

His successes will see him studying ‘Gateway to Medicine’ at the University of Leeds.

He said: “With the pandemic, a lot had to change. I think the Sixth Form handled everything really well, and the shift to online learning was made as easy as possible. We all had to adapt and I feel like the teachers did this really well and supported every student.”

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