UK students celebrate as A-Level results released

BY LAUREN CODLING

STUDENTS across the country have been celebrating as thousands received their A-Level results today (15).

Many gathered to collect results this morning to see if they had been accepted to their university of choice, as it was announced the proportion of students achieving the top grades at A-level had fallen to its lowest level for more than a decade.

This year, results showed that 25.5 per cent of students got an A grade or higher. This is the lowest level since 2007.

However, despite the drop, many were delighted to learn they had succeeded in their chosen subjects.

At John Lyon School in north-west London, every one of the 218 exams sat by 72 boys was awarded a pass.

Yenuson Venderkoon will study economics at Warwick University after receiving an A*, two A’s and a B in his results.

“It’s been quite exhilarating,” he told Eastern Eye. “It’s one thing to be anxious waiting for exam results, but then achieving them, seeing the happiness in everyone else and looking forward to what’s to come is another thing altogether.”

He added he was looking forward to campus life at Warwick.

At Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE), north London, 223 A* grades were awarded to students.

Binu Perera achieved A* grades in his four A-levels – biology, chemistry, geography and mathematics. He is heading Cambridge University to study medicine.The student said he had aspired to become a doctor since he was young.

“Most people think that if you study medicine, it’s a parental choice, but for me it wasn’t,” he claimed.

Niam Vaishnav also received four A* grades and is set to attend Oxford University in the new term. He will read mathematics and computer science at the prestigious school.

He praised QE for the opportunities they had given him to thrive.

“I have really enjoyed my time here; it’s been very stimulating and the amount of competition you find at the School has helped, not hindered, me,” he said.

A student at Hertfordshire’s Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School expressed his excitement at taking up a place in the US at the prestigious Stanford University. Ishan Gandhi will settle in the California-based school to study computer science after he received three A* and one A.

Although he had already received an unconditional offer to study at Stanford, Ishan said: “It is still great to receive these grades and finish my school career on such a high note.”

According to the school, almost 20 per cent of the cohort have been offered Oxbridge places, with the majority opting for other Russell Group universities.

Meanwhile, Merchant Taylors' School announced that they had enjoyed their most successful year at A-Level since 2012.  According to the Northwood-based school, more than three-quarters of exam grades graded at A* or A. 8 boys achieved 4 A* grades; 20 boys achieved 3 A* grades or more and 38 boys achieved 2 A* grades or more.

Headmaster Simon Everson said that the year’s cohort had “been outstanding throughout their time at the school”.

“Their dedication to study has been justly rewarded and we wish them all the very best for the future,” he added.

Other key figures showed that girls have overtaken boys in terms of grades, with 25.5 per cent achieving A* and A grades compared with 25.4 per cent of boys.