LIVE: A-Level results day 2022 as students across Derbyshire find out their grades

A-level students at Derby College will be joined today for the first time by students who have completed their T-level qualifications which were launched two years ago as the ‘gold standard’ of vocational and technical education.

Nearly 360 A Level and the 25 students, who are the first to complete the initial three T-level study programmes, will collect their results from the Joseph Wright Centre from 8am.

The atmosphere is set to be celebratory at the College as A-level students have achieved a 98 per cent pass rate and 10 per cent of T-level students achieved a pass rate in Advanced Education and Childcare; Digital Production, Design and Development; and Construction, Design, Surveying and Planning.

Nearly half of the cohort achieved the top grades: A* to B for A Level students and Distinction grades for T Level students. This is higher than the previous Teacher Assessed Grades – bucking the predictions that actual grades would be lower this year.

Derby College Assistant Principal for Academic Education Matt Ridgill said: “These are exceptional results and we are incredibly proud of the hard work, commitment and resilience of our staff and students.

“These results and particularly the increase in higher grades are especially good considering it is the first time that this cohort of young people have sat external examinations and much of their first year was affected by lockdown restrictions.

“We have maintained high expectations of students with wide ranging practical and emotional support for students to ensure they were exam-ready.

“Early indications are that a good majority of our students will now be heading off to their first choice university and the team of teaching and support staff will be on hand to support anyone who needs to clarify the situation and make decisions on their next step.

“It has been important for everyone collecting their results to realise that there are a wide range of options still open to them.

“We therefore have information available for students about apprenticeships, clearing and the College’s Higher Education study programmes.”

Deputy Principal Kate Martin added: “The success of our first T-level cohort is testament to the robust frameworks of these qualifications which have been co-designed and co- delivered by a wide range of employers and these companies have played a vital role in the success of these students.

“All of our T-level students have either secured jobs, higher apprenticeships or university places following their study programmes and we look forward to tracking their progress throughout their future careers.

“We are still waiting for some of the BTEC results but early indications are that these are also very high and that these students will also be progressing to their first choice university or into the workplace.”

UniHomes, has created a guide for both students and parents in case things don’t go to plan on results day today.

1. Make a list of your ideal universities and courses

It’s a good idea to look at different universities to assess the market. See which universities offer courses you’d be interested in applying to and do your research on them. Clearing is a swift process, and you’ll want to be as fast as you can to have the best opportunity to secure your perfect course. Remember, you don’t need to stick to your original subject choice!

It’s a good idea to visit your chosen campuses before accepting a place through Clearing. It’s not always possible to do this before results day, but if you can it will stand you in good stead when you enter the process. Alternatively, prepare a visit to the university city at least, so you can get a feel for the place.

2. Prepare questions

If there’s a chance, you’ll be applying through Clearing this year, then you’ll need to prepare for a conversation with someone from the university you’re applying to. They’ll assess whether you’re a good fit for the course, but this is also an opportunity for you to ask questions to them too.

Prepare a list of things you’d like to know such as what accommodation is available, what style of teaching is used, and how to prepare if an offer is accepted. This can help you decide if the course is right for you and saves you from making any decisions too early.

3. Gather proof of qualifications

You may be required to provide proof of your qualifications when applying through Clearing, so make sure you keep all relevant certifications handy to avoid any unnecessary stress.

4. Speak to a teacher or careers adviser

Before making any decisions, make sure to chat to a teacher or careers advisor to hash out your plan. Letting them know of any concerns will help you enter Clearing with a fresh mindset.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Alex Dale said: “I’d like to wish all our students who will soon receive their A level or GCSE results the very best of luck.

“The last few years have been difficult for all students, their families and school staff who have all worked incredibly hard in very challenging circumstances.

“I’d like to thank headteachers, teachers, staff, governors, parents, and carers for supporting our young people through this important time in their lives.

“There’s plenty of advice and support on offer for all students from their school or college as they consider their next steps and I’d like to wish our students all the best for the future.”

The number of students receiving As and A*s in their A-level results this morning has dropped by more than 60,000, following a return to in-person exams.

The two top grades were given to 36.5 per cent of pupils as exams returned this summer for the first time since 2019.

It comes after two years of teacher and school assessed grades which saw 44.8 per cent of pupils receive top grades in 2021 and 38.5 per cent in 2020.

However this year’s proportion of As and A*s was still significantly higher than the 25.4 per cent of entries in 2019, the last time exams were held, as the exams regulator Ofqual has decided to take two years to bring grading back down to pre-Covid levels.

Education Secretary James Cleverley said that it was “always the plan” to reduce the number of top grades handed out this year, after “generous grades” awarded to students during the Covid pandemic.

He told Sky News: “The plan was always to get those grades back to the kind of levels that we were seeing before the pandemic when they were more generous and I think that is generous that they were more generous.

“That is going to be seen this year so students might get slightly lower grades than perhaps they were expecting and they were hoping.”

School principal Richard Peel said: “The Long Eaton School Sixth Form congratulates all Year 13 students on making it through an incredibly tough two years. For the majority of students, this was their first set of formal examinations after the cancellation of GCSEs in 2020. The school is incredibly proud of the response to the challenges through these turbulent times.

“2022 has proven another successful year for the students of The Long Eaton School Sixth Form. Year 13 students have proven themselves and staff wish all 2022 leavers the very best in their future endeavours.”

The school is reporting its A-level leavers are taking up a “variety of positions” this year, including in employment, higher apprenticeship and university.

Students from the school are heading on to Russell group universities such as the universities of Birmingham and Nottingham. They will be taking up studies in a range of disciplines including Medicine, Physiotherapy, Midwifery, Game Design, History, Fine Art, TV Production, Architecture, Media, and Computing.

One school student, Amy Dickinson, is leaving to study Media at Nottingham Trent University with grades of A*, A and A. Lauren Briggs, having also achieved A* A* A, is going to study Fine Art at Loughborough; Chloe Mastin will read History at Nottingham following a very successful two years and grades of A*, A and A. Abbie Siverns will undertake medicine studies in Birmingham, while Owen Hutcheson will study Physics in Southampton.

Pictured left to right are Dusty Allen who received CBC and will be heading to the University of East Anglia to study Speech and Language Therapy; Abbie Ford who received DDD and is off to the University of Derby to study Psychology; Charlie Rose who received D,E Dist and is going to Nottingham Trent University to study Games Production; Charlie Hall who received AAB and going to Nottingham Trent University to study Architecture, and Amy Dickinson who received A*AA and is going to study Media communications and Culture at Nottingham Trent University

Students and staff at Swanwick Hall School are celebrating after receiving their A Level results, enabling them to secure places at prestigious universities, on coveted apprenticeships and selected jobs.

The students at Swanwick Hall School, which is part of The Two Counties Trust, have achieved some excellent results which reflect the hard work and commitment shown throughout their studies.

Students across the school performed well, with some of the individual standout achievements including students council chair Naomi Richardson who achieved A*AA and is excited about going on to study History at the University of Warwick; and Jimmy Joyce who also achieved A*AA and is looking forward to studying Cancer Studies at the University of Nottingham.

At Swanwick Hall, 97 per cent of Year 13 students have been successful in achieving places at university, studying such diverse subjects as History, Korean Studies, Physics, Performing Arts, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Game Design, Forensic Psychology and Interior Architecture at universities including Warwick, Leeds, York, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Headteacher Jonathan Fawcett said: “We are delighted that Swanwick Hall students are once again celebrating excellent A-level results and send our congratulations to them, their families and their teachers. 

“The diversity of the destinations and courses to be studied reflect the strength and breadth of the curriculum offer within our Sixth Form and the quality of the support and advice offered by our team to ensure that students are able to pursue their ambitions with success.

“Above all, they reflect the culmination of seven years of hard work by the students; they deserve these results which are a recognition of the wonderful young people that our Sixth Form students are. We wish them the very best for their next steps, whether that be university, apprenticeship or employment, and look forward to hearing of their future successes”

Wesley Davies, Chief Executive Officer of The Two Counties Trust, said: “Well done to everyone at Swanwick Hall School who has received their A-level results today.

“As a Trust we are committed to working together to provide our students with opportunities and experiences to enhance their life choices. We are delighted to see Swanwick Hall School continuing on its strong upward trajectory, reflected in today’s results.”

A-level and level 3 vocational course students at Chesterfield College had plenty to celebrate after receiving their results this morning.

The majority of students were over the moon to find out they had achieved the results they need to secure their next steps, whether a place at university, in further education, on an apprenticeship, or finding employment.

With an A-level pass rate of 97 per cent and a large number of students receiving high grades, there was a real buzz at the college’s sixth form hub in West Studios on Sheffield Road.

Over 1,000 students also found out their final grades for their level 3 vocational qualifications - which are equivalent to A-levels - with 40 per cent of these students achieving the highest grade of triple distinction.

Deputy principal David Malone said: “Well done to all of our students who received their results today. We are delighted with this year’s results and this is testament to the hard work and resilience they have shown throughout their two years of study with us.

“We want to congratulate them all. With our pass rate and high grades achievement at their highest level, our students are ready for the next stage of their education or employment.

“For any student still unsure of what to do next, or anyone who wants to understand all the routes available to them, please come in and speak to us.

“Our teaching and support team at college have worked tirelessly to keep students engaged, on track and to ensure they were fairly assessed. It is wonderful to see students celebrating their success today and we wish them the very best for the future.”

Neve Ayla McMahon, pictured above, received an A in English, a B in Psychology and an A* in Sociology, andwas ecstatic to find out that she had secured a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study Psychology.

During her studies, LEAP Mentors helped Neve with her workload during a period of ill health.

She said: “I’m just so happy! I’ve had such a hard year with my health, so I really didn’t expect to get this at all. I’m so pleased with myself!”

Friends Sophie Cusworth and Trinity Thompson, above, attended the college together to open their results.

Both were delighted, with Sophie receiving Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* in Chemistry, Physics and Biology across her Applied Science course.

Trinity gained a Merit in Chemistry and a Pass in Physics and Biology, which has allowed her to gain a place on her dream university degree.

Sophie said: “I can’t believe it! I found out this morning that I’ve got a place at Sheffield Hallam University to do Radiotherapy and Oncology.”

Meanwhile, Trinity has secured a place at Anglia Ruskin University to study Ecology and Conservation. She said: “We’re going out this weekend to celebrate together. It’s been a tough few years but it all feels worth it.”