EMOTIONS were running high today as students collected their A-Level results.

Amid the celebrations for some students in Dorset, others said they felt they had been disadvantaged due to being unable to take their exams.

Nationally, the proportion of A-level entries awarded an A grade or higher has risen to an all-time high, with 27.9 per cent securing the top grades this year, figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland show.

But exam boards downgraded nearly two in five (39.1 per cent) pupils’ grades in England, according to data from Ofqual – which amounts to around 280,000 entries being adjusted down after moderation.Dorset Echo: Georgia Wood, Poppy LeggBagg and Becca Ramos from Thomas Hardye SchoolGeorgia Wood, Poppy LeggBagg and Becca Ramos from Thomas Hardye School

Weymouth College is celebrating a 100% pass rate, with 80% of students achieving A*-C grades, and 50% grades A*-B.

Principal, Nigel Evans, said: "“Weymouth College was judged ‘Good’ AGAIN by Ofsted in June 2020 and these results tell you why.

“The College has consistently delivered fantastic results in all areas and it continues to do so.

“So once again, this year’s A Level outcomes are the result of committed and consistent hard work and I – together with every member of staff here at Weymouth College – couldn’t be more proud of what each of our students have achieved. I wish them all the very best with their next career steps whether that be here at Weymouth College or elsewhere."Dorset Echo: Students from Budmouth Academy going into school to collect their resultsStudents from Budmouth Academy going into school to collect their results

Head of sixth form, Paul McArthur, said: “This has been a strange and unexpected end to the academic year for both our students and staff. Our students as always engaged well with their subjects and have maintained an excellent standard throughout the year – both pre and post lockdown – supported at all times by our excellent A Level staff. We maintain specific assessment points throughout the year which enabled us to accurately predict grades for the cancelled exams as reflected in our results with full A Level pass rate at 100% and high A*-C rate. 

“Each year our students gain entry to many of the country’s most prestigious universities. We have maintained this high offer level for the past five years with 2020 being no exception. Many of our Class of 2020 will be looking to progress their studies at Russell Group Universities.” 

The vast majority of students at Thomas Hardy have been able to access their first choice of university or apprenticeship, including Oxbridge places, on the back of today's results.Dorset Echo: Rob Brake, Matthew Lappin, Jack Holbrook and Alex Tapley from Thomas Hardye SchoolRob Brake, Matthew Lappin, Jack Holbrook and Alex Tapley from Thomas Hardye School

Overall grades were on a par with previous years, although inevitably there have been some anomalies in the system which the school will pursue through the appeals process.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which cancelled all exams, grades were awarded following a rigorous moderation process involving teaching staff, heads of departments and members of the Senior Leadership Team. Centre Assessed grades were then sent to exam boards before being subject to an external moderation.

However, just a day before results were due to be emailed out, the Department for Education announced a last-minute ‘triple lock’, which means students could have whichever result is highest from their estimated grades or mock exams, which were taken in school before lockdown, or exams in the autumn.

Mike Foley, Headteacher, described the late changes to the appeals system as unhelpful.

He added: "The introduction of mock exams as a grounds for appeal at the last minute, has simply made the process even more complicated and confused. Worst of all, it will do nothing to support the credibility of results or ensure fairness. Mocks are organised in different ways from school to school - there is no system of moderation or standardisation to guarantee parity or equality of outcomes.

"Ultimately, what matters most is that the hard work put in by students with the support of their teachers, is properly recognised, and that students are able to move forward to the next stage in their careers and education. I am delighted that so many students have been able to do exactly that."

Two students from the school left feeling let down by their results are Ana Holmes and Elliot Naraine, both 18, neither of whom got the grade they were expecting in Spanish. Ana said: "Spanish is my mother tongue. I am fluent and I got an A instead of an A* which doesn't feel fair at all."Dorset Echo: Ana Holmes and Elliot NaraineAna Holmes and Elliot Naraine

Elliot said: "I want to go into the RAF to become a linguist and my chances of getting in would have been better if I had achieved an A which I think I would have done if I'd sat an exam. There has been so much smoke and mirrors with grades this year which has led to a lot of stress that wasn't needed."

Nat Wormleighton, 18, is pleased with his results and has accepted his place at the University of Gloucester. He said: "I got A, A, B so I'm feeling happy and I'm excited to move to university. I do think that it was unfair not to let us take our exams but I'm happy as I got what I expected I would have if we'd been allowed to take them."Dorset Echo: Nat Wormleighton is excited to study at the University of GloucestershireNat Wormleighton is excited to study at the University of Gloucestershire

For some students, the cancellation of exams has been a blessing in disguise as their results were better than they had hoped for.

Darcy Lewis, 18, said: "My results were better than I expected and I've confirmed my place at the University of East Anglia to study Speech and Language Therapy.

"When we finished school back in March there was this huge feeling of nothingness which was difficult to get to grips with but I'm happy exams were cancelled as I think I would have burned out. Not taking them has helped my grades and I'm so happy."Dorset Echo: Darcy Lewis will study Speech and Language Therapy at the University of East AngliaDarcy Lewis will study Speech and Language Therapy at the University of East Anglia

Sixth form tutor, Helen Neal, is feeling sorry for students finishing school and collecting their results this year. She said: "Young people have had so many challenges to put up with. For those that didn't get the grades they wanted they will have the opportunity to resit in October but they haven't done any work since March so I worry that they will really struggle.

"I just feel really sorry for them."

At Gryphon Sixth Form in Sherborne, 19 students received straight A and A* results, whilst at Budmouth Academy, 95% of students have secured a place at university.Dorset Echo: Students from Gryphon SchoolStudents from Gryphon School

Principal David Herbert said: ''I am really pleased that the long wait is over and that the students can now celebrate properly. I am delighted that 95% our students have secured a place at university of their choice and can now look forward to new adventures. I would like to congratulate all our students on their hard work over a long time that has led to this, especially with the uncertainty that has surrounded this year."Dorset Echo: Students from Gryphon SchoolStudents from Gryphon School

Councillor Andrew Parry, Dorset Council portfolio holder for children, education and early help, said: "I would like to pay a special tribute today to all young people in Dorset who are getting their results.

"It has been a difficult and challenging year, an academic year like no other. How well you have all coped, thank you for your incredible resilience."

Headteacher at Shaftesbury School, Tim Farrer, has been thrilled with the results pupils at the school achieved. He said: "Although we were faced with a huge array of challenges this year, our students have achieved well and are now able to make their next steps. ‘We are extremely proud of the students and their achievements"

Judith Fremont-Barnes, Head of Milton Abbey School, said: "The Class of 2020 have achieved an excellent set of results! There are also some really exciting and hard-won individual triumphs among today's results and we are very proud of every one of our students.

"We are also deeply grateful for the dedication and expertise of their teachers and pastoral staff, who have supported them so well through their courses of study.

"With the pandemic disruptions to their education this year, and the considerable negative press around this year's results process, it is a really gratifying outcome to see the vast majority of our students comfortably meeting their offers for ambitious higher education choices.

"They are off to courses as diverse as Pharmacology at the University of Bristol, War Studies at Hull, Film Making at Leeds Beckett, Farm Management at the Royal Agricultural University and Art at Manchester. We wish them every happiness and success."

Sally Wilson, headteacher at The Blandford School, said: "Students in Year 13 have received their results today following an assessment period which has been very different to the norm.  As a school we are extremely conscious this has not been an easy period for the Class of 2020 and would like to wish them all the very best as they leave us and spread their wings.

"Initial headlines in terms of school performance are extremely pleasing with 23% of grades awarded being A*- A; 65% A*- B; 84% A*- C and 99% A* - E.  These figures continue to reinforce the very good quality of education provided at the school and a culture of learning which reaps positive results."