Exam results

Pass rate remains the same whilst the rest of the country slips up

Smiling faces and tear-filled eyes were to be seen all around the county as students received their A-level results on Thursday.

Despite the way exams are marked making it harder to achieve top marks, Kent’s pass rate has remained the same as last year with some schools registering an improvement in their records.

Kent County Council cabinet member for education, learning and skills Cllr Mike Whiting said: “Whereas other parts of the country are seeing a drop, in Kent we are managing to hold onto our record.

“Young people are getting the results they need for the future. Increasingly, they are coming away with the right results for them.”

Despite tuition fees rising to £9,000 a year, leading to a drop in students applying for university places, many teenagers still had their hearts in their mouths as they opened the decisive envelope.

Cllr Whiting added: “Some are going to university, some are going straight into paid jobs and others are going into apprenticeship schemes.

“We will see fewer people going to university, but we have got a diverse education system in Kent and there is something for everyone.

“We’ve seen improvements against the national trend, so well done Kent.

“I would like to offer my personal and hearty congratulations to all those who have achieved so much and to wish every student the best for their own future, whatever that might turn out be.

“Kent’s family of academies and maintained schools have shown how they make such an important contribution to the success of so many young people.”

Schools across the county were celebrating bucking the national trend.

Headmaster of Sutton Valence School near Maidstone Bruce Grindlay said: “This is a fantastic set of results for a deserving cohort of bright young people who epitomise the school’s commitment to work ethic and out focus on breadth of achievement and personal development.

“To move from 61 per cent A* to B grades last year to 63 per cent this year when grade inflation is being curtailed, is a ringing endorsement of our teaching and learning.

“I’m delighted for both students and staff and very proud of their achievements.”

Simon Langton Girls’ School in Canterbury was also celebrating a first – sending its first intake of boys to university.

Tom Collie notched straight A*s alongside his female companions and will be going to Durham to study ancient history.

Headteacher Jane Robinson said: “The number of students achieving straight A*/A grades has nearly doubled this year which is particularly worthy of note as A-levels have been marked more rigorously this year in a bid to halt the increasing numbers of students getting higher grades. We are all extremely proud of our students’ achievements.”

Nationally, pass levels stalled but schools minister Nick Gibb said the change of the marking system made the grades even more prestigious.

Mr Gibb said: “I am delighted that so many young people have secured good A-level results. It’s always a pleasure to be able to celebrate academic excellence, to highlight the successes of public servants and to underline how impressive so many of today’s young people really are.”