The students achieved success at A-level and BTEC qualifications with 78.2% gaining A* to C, compared with 70% gaining this level in 2019.

The 17 and 18 year olds are going on to a variety of things post A-levels, including universities in Bath, Birmingham, Courtauld Institute of Art, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford Brookes, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Reading, Royal Holloway, and UCLA (California), as well as jobs and apprenticeships at the BBC and some students going into IT, interior design and other roles.

Joe Stobbs got A*s in Maths and Physics and an A in Chemistry to secure a place at Bath university to study Chemical Engineering. He said: “I am pleased to have been awarded the grades I need to study at the university I want to attend. It has been a strange time and my aim now is to follow Mrs Rogers' advice and target a first class honours degree! Thanks to all my teachers for their support over the past two years - they helped me achieve my ambition.”

Sophie Houghton took business, photography and psychology at A-level and is going to Leeds to study fashion marketing. She said: “I’m really happy with my grades and glad to say I got into my first choice university and couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t be in this position without the support from all my fabulous teachers. Thank you so much.”

Ed Bennett has got into Cardiff to study Chemistry and commented: “I am delighted to be offered a place at Cardiff university - a brilliant uni. I am excited to explore the city and start my new adventure.”

Harry Carlson said: “It’s been a rollercoaster of a morning. I am really pleased to have got into the Courtauld Institute of Art, and I am really excited. The brilliant staff at Claires Court have supported me at every step of the way.”

Anouska Hawkes is going to Nottingham Trent to study Fashion, Communications and Promotion, added: “I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Claires Court. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my grades without you. I am so so happy that I got a B in Textiles and Psychology. I never thought I would be able to achieve that in psychology and I’m overjoyed about it.”

Tom Hattam said: “I’m very happy with the results I received, although slightly different to my predicted grades. The support I have received from teachers and staff over the two years has supported and prepared me to begin a new chapter studying Film Production at Portsmouth University."

Following the results being emailed out, Claires Court teachers are holding individual discussions with students to talk about all their options, and are hosting a final sixth form ‘lockdown lounge’ of the year with all students joining a virtual meet to mark the occasion.

Stephanie Rogers, Head of Sixth Form, said: “This year is obviously very different due to covid-19 circumstances and has a virtual twist. All students were emailed their results from 8am and although it’s a shame they haven’t had the opportunity to experience conventional exams or celebrate their results with each other and their teachers in person, we’ve stayed together virtually.

“Results this year have been calculated differently by exam boards, based on the submission of centre assessment grades, which were then standardised using a statistical model. All of our students really were remarkable throughout the two years of their studies and during the lockdown period, continuing to engage and work hard to complete their subject courses despite the lockdown and no formal exams, even continuing with our innovative and popular life skills courses after the study and exam period. They deserve every success going forward and can be proud of the opportunities they have secured for the future, as we are of them. The way they support each other and the qualities they portray are a testament to their attitudes and the Claires Court Sixth Form mantra in which students aim high, believe in themselves and make a difference.”

James Wilding, Academic Principal, added: “Results days are incredibly personal for each student, opening up for many their next steps at University and  in future careers. This year’s unique position, with no examinations and as a consequence grades awarded by teacher feedback and national standardisation, makes it even more difficult for our students, because their personal story and efforts are very much lost in the ‘big picture’ story of results fixed by statistical analysis not as an outcome of personal endeavour. Whilst as a school we are delighted that so many of our students are celebrating today, with many departments excelling too, some individual outcomes are inexplicably poor, and bear no relation either to the student’s performance over two years nor to the expected results we had reasonably predicted. In recent days though the government has indicated such situations are now open to appeal and I look forward to managing that process successfully for those students affected. ”

Ofqual has created guidance for students considering their results and next steps, which is available here.

A-level courses at Claires Court include a wide range of core academic courses, including languages, artistics and creative sand are offered throughout the year. To enquire about places at Claires Court for three to 18 year olds, please visit www.clairescourt.com/admissions or email registrar@clairescourt.com