DESPITE the numerous and difficult challenges presented by the coronavirus crisis, students and staff at Christleton Sixth Form are celebrating after receiving another excellent set of results in this year’s A Level examinations.

Following the successes of previous years, performance has continued to improve across all subject areas with a 97 per cent success rate across all 24 A Level subjects taught, as students achieved well across in the full range of courses taught.

BTEC results were also excellent, with 34 per cent of all students receiving Distinction or Distinction* and a further 41 per cent receiving a Merit.

This year was, of course, a very different year as the coronavirus crisis meant that all 119 students were unable to complete their courses and take their exams.

Commenting on the situation, Headteacher, Darran Jones, completing his first year as head at Christleton, said: “After nearly two years of hard work and months of extensive studying, it was particularly galling for all of our Year 13 students to suddenly lose the final weeks of their teaching and learning, to end their time at school with a single day’s notice and then to have their exams cancelled.

"Whilst fully understandable in the circumstances, this was an extremely unsatisfactory and, in many ways, a highly unfair way for them to end their time at Christleton. I can only guess at their feelings of extreme disappointment.

"However, we were extremely proud of the highly mature way in which they handled it and after weeks of nervous anticipation, today was a day of happiness, satisfaction and undoubted relief for many of our Sixth Form students for whom today marked their another step on the way to university life, full-time employment, apprenticeship or internship.”

Many students were delighted that they have been successful in their applications to Russell Group universities and will be taking up new challenges at institutions around the country.

In addition, Oscar Doran will be taking up a Golf scholarship at the University of Arizona, Chumisa Dornford-May will be taking up a much sought after place at Drama School and Rachael Warburton has already commenced a Degree Apprenticeship at Cisco Systems.

Two students, Charlotte McConnell and Majeed Bawendi will be taking up places at either Oxbridge or at Medical school.

Students enjoying exceptional success at A level include: Majeed, Grace Beesley, Charlotte, Sophie Newman, Leah Parry, Sam Parsonage, Millie Riddick and Emma Smith, who all achieved at least 3 A* or A grades. Lauren Moore and Robert Taylor achieved at least 2 A* or A grades.

Head of Christleton Sixth Form, Mike Cosstick, was keen to praise the students for their achievements: “As a Sixth Form Leadership team, we had high hopes for this year group and I am so pleased to be able to say that this excellent set of results contains some outstanding individual results.

"Despite not being achieved through exams, such a set of results could only have been gained as a result of those individuals putting in a great deal of hard work, having a strong positive mental attitude and regularly demonstrating real resilience, not least during the last few months.

"The results are totally representative of the outcomes they deserved and therefore it was fantastic to see so many happy faces as our students opened their envelopes!

"This has been another great year group and it has been fabulous to watch them grow and develop over the last two years. It has been a pleasure to work with them during their time with us.

"So many have really contributed to the everyday life of the school and today is a real and tangible reward for all of their efforts to be the very best they can be.”

Headteacher,Darran Jones,added: “On behalf of all of us at the school, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate every one of our students on their fantastic achievements.

"I would also like to thank our teachers for their total commitment and professionalism and also, parents/carers, whose support and constant encouragement has meant so much.

"As a result, so many of our students have today achieved what they fully deserve and I am so pleased that such a large number of them have once again secured places at prestigious universities, in employment or apprenticeships with reputable companies.

"I really couldn’t be more proud and I wish them happy, healthy and successful futures.”