As students from across Stevenage, North Herts and Central Bedfordshire collected their A-level results last week, there were plenty of smiling faces and amazing pictures.

Stevenage

John Henry Newman

"We are delighted with our results, which reflect the hard work and dedication of our students over the last two years," said Sixth Form director Ruth Davies.

"There are many individual success stories, and it has been wonderful, this morning, to celebrate with students, staff and parents.  

The Comet: With headteacher, Clive Mathew - Ciara Linnane (A*, A*, A), Georgi Somerville (Dist, Merit, Dist), Erin Duffy (A*, A, A), Alba Ford-Medina (Dist*, A, B), Isobel Barker (A*, A*, B) and Olivia ColWith headteacher, Clive Mathew - Ciara Linnane (A*, A*, A), Georgi Somerville (Dist, Merit, Dist), Erin Duffy (A*, A, A), Alba Ford-Medina (Dist*, A, B), Isobel Barker (A*, A*, B) and Olivia Col (Image: John Henry Newman School)

"The vast majority have secured their first-choice university or apprenticeship placement. We wish all of our Year 13 students the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives, and thank them for all they have contributed towards our school."

The Comet: With Head of Chemistry, Mrs Oligboh - Eoin McCormick (A*, A, A) Theodore Manning (A*, A*, A, A) Nadia Zaluski (B,C,C)With Head of Chemistry, Mrs Oligboh - Eoin McCormick (A*, A, A) Theodore Manning (A*, A*, A, A) Nadia Zaluski (B,C,C) (Image: John Henry Newman School)

Marriotts School

Staff, parents and students were delighted to receive their results, which are a credit to their hard work and commitment.

The Comet: A-level results day at Marriotts SchoolA-level results day at Marriotts School (Image: Marriotts School)

Ben Pearce, deputy headteacher stated: “It has been an amazing experience to watch our Sixth Form students grow into mature and enthusiastic young adults over the last couple of years, who have worked extremely hard to prepare for their qualifications.

"We are really pleased with how they have done, and it is hugely encouraging to see them go on to a wide range of high quality next steps, and I am sure that they will be highly successful in all that they do in the future.”

Barnwell School

Barnwell students are off to study a range of subjects including biomedical science, physics, archaeology, law, psychology, history, geography, creative music production and sports therapy.  

Tony Fitzpatrick headteacher of Barnwell School said: "The Governors and I are extremely proud of all our 6th form students and their achievements, and I know they will go on to be a great success in whatever they choose to do in the future."

Barnwell School top performing students are:

  • Emma G – A*/A/B
  • Chloe M – A*/B/B
  • Annabelle T – A/B/B
  • Rares T – A/B/B
  • Owen W – A/Distinction/B
  • Louie T – A/Distinction/Distinction
  • George P - Distinction*/ Distinction*/Distinction
  • George B - Distinction*/ Distinction/Distinction
  • Jacek D - Distinction*/ Distinction/Distinction
  • Joe H - Distinction*/ Distinction/Distinction
  • Jamie M – Distinction/Distinction/Distinction

Nobel School

"We are incredibly proud of all our Nobelians in Year 13 this summer," a Nobel spokesperson has said.

110 students going off to university (including 35 off to Russell Group ones) and a further 21 students have secured degree-level apprenticeships.  

The Comet: Nobel School pupils, A-level results day 2023 Nobel School pupils, A-level results day 2023 (Image: Nobel School)

We would like to give special mention to the following students who are all off to the University of Cambridge; Denni Davies (Sidney Sussex College) and Rhea D’Souza (Emmanuel College) to read Natural Sciences and Ella Whitworth (Murray Edwards College) to read Spanish and Italian.

Thomas Alleyne Academy

Students at The Thomas Alleyne Academy celebrated the results of their hard work today with some "excellent" A-level final grades.

The Comet: Justin Roxas delighted with the A* grade in Business StudiesJustin Roxas delighted with the A* grade in Business Studies (Image: Thomas Alleyne Academy)

Mark Lewis, headteacher, commented: "Our students can be very proud of their achievements. We are delighted with their results and wish them all the best in their future destinations."

Hitchin

Priory School

Hitchin's Priory School has congratulated students who set their A-level and vocational exams. 

"Our Year 13 students have shown true resilience and determination to make the most of their last year at school."

Some notable successes include

  • Isaac Rabel - 4 A*
  • Thomas Skuse - 2A* 1A
  • Beth Ross - 2 A* 1 A
  • Mustafa Majeed - 1 A* 3 A
  • Elliot Mainwaring - A* Distinction* A
  • Robyn Gorvett A* A A with an A* in the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)

The vast majority of Priory students are heading off to university having secured their first-choice place, while other students are following the apprenticeship pathway.

Hitchin Boys' School

HBS results this year show an overall increase in attainment versus 2019 with a 99 per cent pass rate, 25 per cent of results being the top A/A* and 50 per cent being between A* and B.

The Comet: Hitchin Boys' A-level results day 2023Hitchin Boys' A-level results day 2023 (Image: Hitchin Boys' School)

Some notable successes included Valio Ivanov who secured four A* grades and is going to the University of Warwick to study mathematics, Arin Dosanj who achieved three A* grades and is also going to Warwick to study Accounting and Finance and Robin Winterbourne who also achieved three A* grades and is going to the University of Bristol to study Physics.

Hitchin Girls' School

James Crowther: "Congratulations to all of our students who received their results today. There is much to celebrate. We are proud of all they have achieved.

"Many thanks to all of our staff and the students’ families for their ongoing hard work and support. We wish all students every success as they embark on the next stage of their careers."

The Comet: Hitchin Girls' School students on A-level results day 2023 Hitchin Girls' School students on A-level results day 2023 (Image: Hitchin Girls' School)

Letchworth & Baldock

St Francis' College

100 per cent of students at St. Francis' College celebrated achieving the grades required to secure places at the universities of their choice. The pass rate at grades A* - C was 96 per cent, maintaining the best-ever results achieved at the College last year.

The Comet: Students at St. Francis' College celebrate their A-level gradesStudents at St. Francis' College celebrate their A-level grades (Image: St Francis' College)

The College's Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Ruth Scott, said: "I am thrilled that the students have woken up this morning to all discover that they have successfully secured their university places and can get excited about the next phase of their educational journey.

"They should be very proud of their results as they are a testament to the hard work and dedication they have given their learning. We all wish them the very best as they head off in exciting new directions."

The Comet: Isabella (L) and Heather (R) from St. Francis' College will be starting their courses this autumn in, respectively, Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and Politics & Philosophy at the University of BirminghamIsabella (L) and Heather (R) from St. Francis' College will be starting their courses this autumn in, respectively, Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and Politics & Philosophy at the University of Birmingham (Image: St Francis' College)

St Christopher School

The Comet: St Christopher School A-level results day 2023 St Christopher School A-level results day 2023 (Image: St Christopher School)

Head Rich Jones said: “Congratulations to all our students on their hard work in the lead up to today’s results. For this cohort of students – as for all across the country - it is the first time many of them have sat an external exam, with their GCSEs and a large chunk of their secondary education impacted by the pandemic: academically, mentally and socially."

Highfield

Headteacher, Lucy Miles said: “Our young people should be proud of their results. Their success is a just reward for the commitment and hard work that they have put in throughout their education.

"We’ve been excited to hear about their next steps today with the majority now going on to their chosen universities and outstanding higher apprenticeships offers, including Sky Studios and MBDA.”

The Comet: Highfield pupils celebrate A-level results 2023Highfield pupils celebrate A-level results 2023 (Image: The Highfield School)

In terms of individual successes, the following pupils have achieved a sweep of the highest grades and are rightly delighted:

  • Zachary Whiteley: 3A* 1A
  • Ruby-Mae Baker: 2A*s A
  • Dan Stevens 2A*s 2As
  • Theo Nobbs 3 As
  • Akshat Mahesh 3As
  • Katie Albon 3As 1B

Fearnhill School

Headteacher Liz Ellis  - who retired in July - said: "This year group have, like other young people across the country, had a particularly challenging journey to reach today. They did their GCSEs during the pandemic and had to develop independence and resilience during their A Level journey.

"They are a credit to themselves, their families and their communities. Their teachers are also delighted to see the fruits of their professional commitment and support over the years. This is certainly a day of celebration."

The Comet: Students Natalie and Saffron celebrate with their mums.Students Natalie and Saffron celebrate with their mums. (Image: Fearnhill School)

Knights Templar School

Headteacher, Edward Hutchings, said: “I am incredibly proud of our students and what they have achieved, their results are a tribute to them and the courage and commitment that they have shown.

The Comet: Knights Templar A-level results day 2023Knights Templar A-level results day 2023 (Image: Knights Templar School)

"Supported by their parents, carers and our dedicated teachers, students in this year group have shown enormous resilience in the face of such challenging times.

"The Knights Templar School continues to develop well rounded young people, prepared for the world beyond school. Congratulations to all our students and we wish them every success for the future.”

The Comet: Knights Templar A-level results day 2023Knights Templar A-level results day 2023 (Image: Knights Templar School)

The Comet: Knights Templar A-level results day 2023Knights Templar A-level results day 2023 (Image: Knights Templar School)

Samuel Whitbread Academy - Bedfordshire

This year there were a number of individual success stories at the academy, which is part of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST), with numerous A* and A grades.

These include Head Student Amy Hutchinson, with two A*s and two As, who is off to study Law at the University of York, and Louie Burgess, with three A*s and an A, who will be embarking on an Open University degree in maths, whilst starting work.

The Comet: Samuel Whitbread Academy student celebrate A-level resultsSamuel Whitbread Academy student celebrate A-level results (Image: Bedfordshire Schools Trust)

The Comet: Samuel Whitbread Academy student celebrate A-level resultsSamuel Whitbread Academy student celebrate A-level results (Image: Bedfordshire Schools Trust)