HEAD teachers have commended students for persevering through national lockdowns during their sixth form journey to achieve their A-level results.

Colchester County High School for Girls’ Year 13 students received their A-level results yesterday alongside thousands of others up and down the country.

The school is recognised as one of the top performing schools in Essex and was placed first in the region last year in the Real Schools Guide.

Gillian Marshall, the school’s principal, said her students have demonstrated their resilience in the most challenging of circumstances.

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She added: “Overall the academic attainment of the students is outstanding and their exceptional results represent the culmination of many years spent studying.

“While there are many outstanding individual performances and students securing places on highly competitive courses at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, we are immensely proud of the work and achievements of all our students.

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Thousands of pupils collect their A-level results 

Colchester students celebrate their top A-level grades

“We would also like to recognise the way in which all our Year 13s have supported each other and developed into kind, gracious and warm-hearted individuals.”

She said as a year group the students have contributed much to the school community, undeterred by the limits of Covid restrictions.

Mrs Marshall added: “They have shown creativity, innovation, good humour, talent, perseverance and determination.

“We thank our staff and students for the hard work and commitment that they have shown throughout the year and we are grateful to our parents and governors for their unstinting support.

“The superb examination grades achieved have truly been earned and we wish all our Year 13 students every happiness and success in the future.”

Students at Colchester Royal Grammar School have also been celebrating their A-Level results.

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John Russell, headteacher, said: “There is no denying that it has been a challenging couple of years for our students, who have had to adapt to all of the additional hurdles they have faced during the pandemic and throughout most of their sixth form years.

“I could not be prouder of what they have achieved. The resilience and determination that they have shown has been remarkable, and I am delighted to see that our students have secured grades that they truly deserve. There has been some amazing achievement and success.

“Our students will now go on to some exceptional universities and read some fascinating subjects. I know they all have bright futures ahead of them”

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“While our students rightly deserve all the praise and recognition today, I also want to applaud the families of our students. Helping our young people through their studies during a pandemic has been a real partnership – and more than ever before I think that our community should take a moment to acknowledge the collective efforts of everyone who has supported our talented and inspirational students.”

Peta Smith, assistant head of Philip Morant School and College, said: "Sigma Sixth is pleased to report some outstanding results in their A-Level and BTEC qualifications this summer."

Charlotte Madden celebrates achieving an A* in Biology and Maths and an A in Chemistry.

Saskia Damiao celebrates an A* in Photography and 2 A grades in English Literature and Sociology.

Marcus Thurston and Tyler Watson Vaughan both celebrate Triple Distinction* in the Extended BTEC Sport qualification.

All students will be going on to study at degree level at their chosen universities.

She said: "This year, following the cancellation of exams, grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards."