South Hams students receive excellent A-Level results

Students across the South Hams have received their A-Level results today - with excellent results across the area. 

Students at Totnes' KEVICC Kennicott Sixth Form, Kingsbridge Community College, Ivybridge Community College, and Ivybridge Community College, alongside the rest of their peers across the country, have received their A-Level results today, Thursday, 15 August. 

Kennicott Sixth Form Centre at KEVICC in Totnes, part of Education South West, are celebrating their A Level and diploma results today.

L-R Grace Garland, Jake Kendall and Ethan Williams credit Education South West

Staff and students gathered in Totnes this morning as the Sixth Form leavers came to open their results. It was another year of "brilliant outcomes". Staff are hugely proud of their students, all of whom have "worked hard and overcome many challenges over an intensive two years of studying". 

Harry Matthews is looking forward to life at Warwick University studying physics having gained A* grades in Maths, Chemistry, Further Maths and Physics.  

Willow Biggins is also delighted to be heading to the University Of Warwick to study history following straight A grades in English Literature, History, Maths and the EPQ. 

Meanwhile, colleagues were thrilled with the effort of Olha Mykhailova to pass her Extended Diploma in Art and Design (equivalent to three A-levels) having only arrived with the college halfway through Year 12, having had to flee the war in Ukraine. 

Alan Salt, Principal at KEVICC  said: "We are so proud of all the students and what they have achieved. We have worked really hard to ensure our sixth formers access a broad range of learning, and we are delighted to see strong results not only in traditional academic subjects, but also across creative areas such as Film Studies, Performing Arts, Art and Design and Design Technology.

"Our ability to tailor timetables to individual student choices has meant we continue to buck the national trend, with Kennicott students commonly mixing creative subjects with social sciences and STEM subjects."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: "A massive congratulations to the Kennicott students who picked up their results today.  It’s amazing to see how well the cohort have achieved and brilliant to hear about the different and exciting next steps they have planned." 

At Kingsbridge Community College, part of Education South West, are "delighted" to be celebrating another year of "excellent achievement" from their Sixth Form students who have done brilliantly in their A Level and Vocational qualifications this summer.  

Education South West 

Staff, students and families are "rightly proud, having worked together to ensure the very best of outcomes for every young person".

The history of high academic performance has been continued at KCC and the vast majority of students have been successful in being placed in their first choice of University course and other pathways. 

The Sixth Form and wider college community are celebrating the achievements of every individual, though a few stand out having demonstrated exceptional progress and attainment: Louis Bastin, achieved a phenomenal four A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Geography, he is off to the University of Sheffield to study Aerospace Engineering.  

Anna Petrenko, who joined KCC from Ukraine in 2022, achieved three A *s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and an A grade in Computer Science, she will be studying Physics at the University of Bristol.  

Milo Clover achieved an A* in Biology as well as a further three A grades in Chemistry, Computer Science, and the EPQ he is off to study Chemical Engineering in Helsinki. Hattie Parker-Swift who gained two As in English Literature and Art and an A in Biology will be travelling for a year and is then thinking of also heading off to the University of Bristol. 

In addition to the academic qualifications, students studying vocational courses have made record progress and achievement this year, in particular Sam Roberts and Richard Roberts who achieved a triple Distinction* in the Extended Media Diploma. 

Students who completed mixed vocational and academic programmes also excelled, such as Ella Bent (Double Distinction in Media Diploma and A in A Level Business) and Sophie Mitchell (Double Distinction* in Media Diploma and B in A Level Photography). Ella is off to the University of Plymouth to study Marketing. 

Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College said: "We are exceptionally proud of how Year 13 have approached their examinations and the results they have achieved reflect their effort and tenacity. There is much to celebrate for this cohort; their fantastic outcomes are a result of work over all seven years at Kingsbridge Community College."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: "A huge congratulations to all the KCC students picking up their results today. I know some of them will have attended an ESW school for their entire educational journey and it’s an absolute pleasure to have watched them grow up. I wish them all the very best for the future, I am sure whatever they choose to do next it will be bright!"

Students and staff at Ivybridge Community College were celebrating as Year 13 students received their A Level and Vocational qualification results.

Ivybridge Community College 

Despite facing significant disruptions during their GCSE years and altered examinations in 2022, this year’s cohort has shown "remarkable courage, maturity and resilience".

A spokesperson for Ivybridge Community College said: "We are immensely proud of their achievements and the determination they have demonstrated throughout their educational journey, which have led to an impressive increase in this year's A Level pass rate."

"Over 40% of our students achieved at least one A*- A grade, more than 50% of all grades were A*- B, and over 80% were A*- C.

"We are pleased to announce a 100% pass rate for both A Level Mathematics and English cohorts, and in particular congratulations to our Further Mathematics students who all achieved A* grades.

"Students studying vocational subjects achieved remarkable success, with 50% earning Distinction* or Distinction grades, and over 80% securing a Merit or higher.

"This year, our students have excelled in their university applications, achieving places that surpass the national average.  

"We are particularly proud to highlight that two of our students have secured places at Oxford University: Ciaran Ricketts will be reading French and Spanish, and Sam Ricketts will be reading Law.  

"Additionally, two students, including James Deacon, have gained admission to Medical School.

"Overall, our students have outperformed previous years in securing places at prestigious Russell Group universities, reflecting their hard work and dedication.

"Many students achieved multiple A* grades, including Joe Davies, Sam Hargreaves, James Deacon and Ruby Stuber. 

"Other top performers were Ellen Crimp, Ben Firth, Oscar Humphrey, Edie Birnie, Zara Fleming and Lottie Humphrey. 

"We consistently take great pride in the paths our students choose, and this year is no exception.  

"Our students are embarking on a range of opportunities, including university placements, apprenticeships, and training programmes both nationally and internationally.  

"Lucy Hack and Tianna Campbell have been awarded scholarships to pursue their studies in America.  

"Many of our students have also secured valuable apprenticeships with esteemed employers, including the Land Registry and Babcock.  

"Additionally, several students are embarking on careers in the military and public services, such as law enforcement and nursing."

Ms Martin, Director of Sixth Form, said: "It has been wonderful to work with this cohort of students. They have risen to the challenge of Level 3 study and have created a wonderful community within our Sixth Form.  

"The whole Sixth Form Team is so proud of their well-earned results and know they will take these results and use them as the stepping stones to fantastic and expansive careers.  

"We cannot wait to see the pathways our 2024 alumni take.  

"The whole team extends the largest congratulations to them all."

On a final note, Mrs Hutchinson, College Principal, added: "Congratulations to all our students on this momentous occasion. 

"The successes today reflect the work ethic and commitment of our Ivybridge Community College learners. I am hugely proud of all their achievements. 

"Class of 2024 has been an incredible Year Group and such positive role models for our younger students. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our hardworking and dedicated staff and to our parents and carers who have supported the college throughout. 

"On behalf of everyone at Westcountry Schools Trust and Ivybridge Community College, may I wish all our students the very best of luck on their next professional chapter."

Congratulations to all those who got their results today! 

Editor's Note: We are waiting for a press release from Dartmouth Community College - we will update this story as soon as we receive it.