Milton Keynes school head praises his students for 'fantastic' A Level results

The head of Sir Herbert Leon Academy has spoken of his pride in his A Level students today.
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Jonathan Harris is celebrating a 100 per cent A Level pass rate at the Bletchley school.

A pleasing 49 per cent of grades were A* to B - a 28 per cent increase from last year.

There was a 37 per cent increase in entries gaining grades A* to C grades, and the school's average score at A level was up 11 points on last year.

Sir Herbert Leon AcademySir Herbert Leon Academy
Sir Herbert Leon Academy

Mr Harris said: “Congratulations to all of our students on their fantastic A-level results. They have worked so hard over their time here. I am so proud of how our students have responded to the challenges of the past few months, and the determination, compassion and patience they have shown.

"Whether they are going onto university, high-quality vocational courses, or employment, I am confident that they will continue to make us proud.”

Three pupils that stood out were Nafisa Chowdhury, who achieved three A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, Carina Scarlata with three A grades in Biology, Chemistry and Art and Alex Bird with three A grades Biology, Chemistry and Film Studies.

All the sixth formers had faced months away from school during a period that they never could have imagined would see their last year at sixth form curtailed and their exams cancelled, said Mr Harris.

He added: "Given the circumstances, the government decided that students’ results would be based on a combination of teachers’ assessment of what grade a student would have got had they sat the exams, and the rank order of students within each grade at the school, together with a national standardisation process which takes account of the school and national performance over the last three years.

"Staff and teachers at Sir Herbert Leon Academy have worked extremely hard to make sure that the grading for every student is fair and allows these students to go onto university, an apprenticeship or employment – whatever is the best option for them."

Students will now be going on to take up places at university, with Nafisa Chowdhury and Alex Bird going on to study Medicine and Biochemistry at the University of Southampton and the University of Warwick respectively.

In the vocational arena, sixth form students at Sir Herbert Leon Academy also achieved some impressive outcomes, with Raven Appiah going on to study Criminology and Marcus King taking up a place to study Film.

Part of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), Sir Herbert Leon Academy saw 74 per cent of entries graded between A* to C in an A Level qualification and an Average Point Score of 34.

Julian Drinkall, CEO at AET, said: “In the face of incredible challenges the staff and students at Sir Herbert Leon Academy have produced phenomenal achievements. Well done to everyone there on their hard work – they should feel very proud of what they have accomplished today, and over the course of their time at Sir Herbert Leon Academy.

“We want every student across our trust to go on and live a remarkable life, and it is clear that Sir Herbert Leon Academy is ensuring they do so. They are doing a fantastic job and I expect the school to continue to move from strength to strength.”

David Hatchett, National Director of Secondary Schools at AET said: “This last year, and particularly since March, has been a very challenging one for our students and schools. Despite this, I am delighted with the academic and vocational results that have been achieved today at Sir Herbert Leon Academy in the most trying of circumstances. I congratulate each and every one of our sixth formers for their hard work and resilience as they progress to the next stage of their lives, and pay tribute to our excellent teachers and leaders who have supported them to make this possible”.

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