A-LEVELS: High note for top performer at Skegness Grammar School

The long wait is over for A-level students in the Skegness area.
Megan Leybourne has secured a place at Sheffield University and hopes to be a mathematics teacher.Megan Leybourne has secured a place at Sheffield University and hopes to be a mathematics teacher.
Megan Leybourne has secured a place at Sheffield University and hopes to be a mathematics teacher.

Yesterday, the Government announced a ‘triple lock’ system, where students who got grades lower than they had previously hoped, based on their teachers’ predictions, will be able to select a previous mark achieved in their mock examinations as a final result.

This also follows the vast criticism to the Scottish government last week, as it was revealed the exams authority lowered higher grades, especially in deprived areas.

Government and Ofqual statistics have said that 40% of students have had their grades downgraded from their predictions.

Harry Atkin - hoping for a career in pathology.Harry Atkin - hoping for a career in pathology.
Harry Atkin - hoping for a career in pathology.

Students at Skegness Grammar School were, however, today celebrating, having endured months of uncertainty throughout the lockdown during their final term at school.

With exams cancelled, students’ results were based on a combination of teachers’ assessment of what grade a student would have got had they sat the exams, and the rank order of students within school, together with a national standardisation process which takes account of the school’s performance over the last two years.

According to the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), which runs the school, staff and teachers have worked extremely hard to make sure that the grading for every student is as fair as possible, and allows students to take their next step – whether that is taking up a place at university or starting an apprenticeship.

This year the following students did particularly well and will go on to pursue a number of exciting paths:

William Jacobs -  top performer.William Jacobs -  top performer.
William Jacobs - top performer.

William Jacobs was the top performing student, securing three A*s in English Literature, Music and Computing. A gifted musician, composer and recording artist, William will be heading off to the University of York to complete a degree in Music and Sound Recording and further his career in the industry.

Following successful application and completion of the highly competitive Sutton Trust US programme, William Ranyard has secured his place at Amherst College, Massachusetts, USA by achieving A*, A, A in Religious Studies, Maths and Psychology and an A in the EPQ. William will be the first student to achieve a place at an American university from Skegness Grammar School for many years.

Following his exploration of the fashion industry for his EPQ (in which he gained an A*) and his own private interest in the industry, Ula Boney-Hundal will go off to study Fashion Buying and Merchandising at the University of Manchester after gaining entry with A*, A*, A in Maths, Further Maths and Physics.

Overall, Skegness Grammar School has seen 53.9% of students secure Grades A* - B, with 31.7% securing A* - A.

In Further Maths, Art, Music and Religious Studies students did particularly well, with 100%, 100%, 50% and 50% respectively achieving an A* or an A.

The following students secured the top grades:

William Jacobs A*, A*, A* (English Literature, Music, Computing)

Ula Boney-Hundal A*, A*, A (Maths, Further Maths, Physics)

William Ranyard A*, A, A (Religious Studies, Maths, Psychology)

Rose Rye A*, A, A (Psychology, Sociology, Business Studies) and A* in the EPQ

Morgan Baker A*, A, B (Maths, Further Maths, Physics) and A* in the EPQ

Paulina Lechowicz A*, A, B (Sociology, Religious Studies, Psychology)

George Meadows A, A, A (Geography, Physics, Maths) and A in the EPQ

Jarod Spence A*, A, B (Maths, Further Maths, Physics) and B in the EPQ

Megan Leybourne achieved an A in Maths, A in Further Maths and C in Physics and is going to Sheffield Hallam University in September to study Mathematics with Education and QTS.

She said: "Overall I am very pleased with the results I’ve been given.

"I think the grades I was given reflected the hard work I have put in over the last two years and I think for me it is accurate in comparison to what I would have got."

After university she hopes to become a mathematics teacher in a secondary school.

Harry Atkin, a Skegness Grammar School student, said he was "kind of" happy about his grades.

He got a D, C, and C in his subjects Biology, Business and Psychology.

"I’m slightly disappointed about the D," he said.

When asked if he thought it was a fair assessment, he said: "I’m sure I could have done better, but if that’s what they think I deserve, then that’s it."

Harry is hoping to go into a career in Pathology, and wasn’t previously aware he could appeal his grades.

Jude Hunton, Principal of Skegness Grammar School, part of the David Ross Education Trust said: “The Skegness Grammar School A-level class of 2020 was always going to be remembered for the challenging national events this year.

"However we now have a wonderful, more significant reason to remember them with these fantastic exam results.

"Days like these are what it is all about: the staff and leadership team at SGS have worked tirelessly to ensure that the community can be incredibly proud of our young people today.

"These truly excellent results mean our young people are set for the next chapter in their lives. Our respect, good wishes and hopes will go with the class of 2020. They will always be SGS students. Congratulations to everyone in the Skegness Grammar community!”

Stuart Burns, Chief Executive of the David Ross Education Trust said: “Today is a great opportunity to celebrate the leadership and academic ambition of our Year 13 students, who have shown great resilience during these challenging times and with whom we will maintain a strong bond and act as a source of advice and references as needed on their path into further study and employment.

“We’ve seen some stunning results today from our students – including William, William, Ula and Rose, and they clearly all have very bright futures ahead of them.

“This has undoubtedly been an exceptional year with unprecedented challenges, and we are committed to supporting every leaver at Skegness Grammar School to use their grades to access the universities, colleges and careers of their choice.

“We are incredibly proud of all of our students today, but I’d also like to put on record my thanks to our staff. Their unstinting hard work and commitment to our students throughout these challenges has been humbling, and their efforts are helping our commitment of providing a world-class education become a reality at Skegness Grammar School."

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