A* - C grades improve by 3.1% compared to national rate of 2.5%

Pass rate up 2.8% to 96.4% ahead of 0.7% nationally

Academies provide support to ensure every student can progress

On an unprecedented results day, following the cancellation of exams due to the pandemic, AET is congratulating all sixth form students who received results on 13 August.

Overall, AET’s sixth forms have seen a 3.1% improvement on A* - C grades on 2019’s results for A Levels. Nationally, the rate of improvement was 2.5% for these grades. A* - E grades went up by 2.8% on last year at AET, compared to 0.7% nationally.

Vocational qualifications have also remained strong, with Applied General qualifications remaining in line with last year, and 83% of those taking Technical qualifications achieving a Merit or higher, compared to 80% in 2019.

Amongst the results, there have been some stellar results including:

• Charlie Cassidy from Greensward Academy in Essex: Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Physics A*, Chemistry A* - going on to study Maths at Exeter University

• Jessica Khan from Kingsley Academy in Hounslow: A* grades in both English Literature and in Spanish whilst also achieving an A grade in Mathematics. Jessica will be studying English Literature at King’s College, London

• Nafisa Chowdhury from Sir Herbert Leon Academy in Milton Keynes: A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, and will be studying Medicine at Southampton University

• Ben Moore from Tendring Technology College in Essex: A*s in Maths and Further Maths and As in Physics and Chemistry. Ben will be taking up his place to study Maths at Warwick University

Julian Drinkall, Chief Executive of AET said:

“In what has been an exceptional year, I am very pleased that overall AET has seen an improvement that has moved ahead of the national trend. We have seen some really strong results in some of our academies, but across the board I’d like to congratulate all of our students – they have shown fortitude and resilience throughout what has been an extremely challenging period of time.

“We are now working closely with all students to help ensure that they can take their next step -whether that is to university, college or an apprenticeship. As part of that we will be exploring the appeals route where appropriate.

“Our staff have been truly remarkable throughout, and I’d like to put on record my thanks to each and every one of them.”

David Hatchett, National Director of Secondary Schools said:

“This has been a particularly challenging year for students in Year 13 who had their courses finished early and their exams cancelled because of the pandemic. So it is hugely satisfying to be celebrating an improvement in our pass rates today at A level across the Trust and in nearly all of our academies. Performance in our vocational qualifications remains strong as well. As a result, the vast majority of our students are able to progress to University, training or employment. The small minority where this isn’t the case we are supporting with appeals and communicating with providers to find a solution.

I want to congratulate our remarkable students for their resilience, hard work and achievements today. I also want to pay tribute to our excellent teachers and leaders across the Trust who have supported our students to make this possible”.