Students celebrate A-Level results in North Tyneside

North Tyneside’s students are preparing for their future after receiving their A-Level and Applied General Qualifications results today (18 August).

After being impacted by two prolonged periods of school closures and the cancellation of their GCSEs, the inspirational young people are rightfully celebrating their individual successes.

This year’s pupils were the first to sit exams since 2019 and today they are taking their first steps into the next stages of their lives.

One pupil celebrating today is Charlotte from George Stephenson High School who has secured her place on an occupational therapy course at Sheffield University.

Speaking of her experience of exams, she said: “The first year was quite hit or miss with all of the lockdowns and mixing online teaching with in person but our second year was better, but I do think that’s impacted my results in subjects that were exam based rather than coursework. But I’ve had a really good two years and all of our teachers have been dead supportive and I’m looking forward to starting university now.”

There was success across the borough too. Jack from Churchill Community College is one of the sixth forms cohort who is now preparing to start their degrees.

Heading to Sunderland University to study Marketing, Jack praised the support he received from his teachers: “Lockdowns did impact our education, but our teachers support has been really helpful, and they’ve worked hard to help me to get the grades that I want to get into Sunderland.”

Millie Clark, also from Churchill Community College collected her results today and was happy with her results. She said: “I think it was so stressful because we didn’t have GCSES, and we had never sat exams before. That definitely added more stress and then the stress of not knowing what the outcome would be, but I’m happy with how its all turned out.

Whitley Bay High School’s sixth form is also celebrating another year of success with 86% of results being between A* and C. Four of its students are heading to Oxford or Cambridge, three are preparing to study medicine and others are preparing to enter employment, start internships and apprenticeships and studying exciting degrees up and down the country.

North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE, said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all of our young people who are collecting their A-Level and BTEC results today. These students have been through a lot in their education and their commitment, hard work and resilience is inspirational to us all.

“Even through the hardest of times, these young people, their schools and their parents and carers have been willing to adapt to all of the changes and challenges they faced, and I am extremely proud of everyone one of them. Well done everyone!”

Cllr Steven Phillips, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learning at North Tyneside Council, said: “Every year we are proud of the achievements of our young people, and today we are exceptionally proud as we celebrate the achievements of these pupils who have sat these exams for the first time in three years!

“Our schools and colleges have shown true resilience and have worked hard to continue to provide a fantastic education for these pupils over the last few years and today’s results are a credit to both them, and the brilliant young people who have come through the other end shining. I wish you all every success for the future and congratulations for making everyone proud.”

Jacqui Old, Director of Children and Adults Services, said: “I am delighted to see the brilliant results from our young people this year. They have faced many challenges in their education and alongside their schools and teachers, they have overcome each and every hurdle with determination and drive and we are extremely proud of them all”

Those receiving their results can contact North Tyneside Council’s Connexions team, whose friendly advisers are on hand to help and provide guidance and support as the students move onto employment and further education. Advisers will also continue to offer support following results day, for more information see: www.skillsnorthtyneside.org.uk.