Grades have been awarded based on procedures, established by individual schools, taking into account the impact on students’ learning; these grades have been carefully calibrated to ensure that students were not adversely affected by the pandemic and have then been reviewed and moderated by exam boards.

Headteacher Tom Inman comments, “Firstly I would like to congratulate all of our Year 13 students on their results. Despite the huge impact of the Covid pandemic on their Sixth Form experience, these results are the product of two years of incredible hard work and dedication despite everything that has been thrown at them and are, if anything, even more deserved than ever.

“At all key levels our A Level and Vocational results were marginally higher than in previous years, however this year should be a year to admire the tenacity of our brilliant students in the face of such adversity rather than to engage in an unhelpful debate around grade comparison and inflation that does them such a disservice.

“We are incredibly proud, not only of their academic performance, but also of their wider achievements and the wonderful young adults that they have become over their time at Gordano.  My thanks also to our brilliant team of hugely committed staff who have supported these students through their time with us, and especially in the very difficult last 18 months”.

The vast majority of students who applied to university have now had their places confirmed – many of these being at first choice universities, including three students who have secured places at Oxford University. Others have secured highly-prized apprenticeships and other training offers.

Head of Sixth Form, Jeanne Fairs, comments, “We are delighted that so many of our students have already secured their places at university or in other training or employment. We have been hugely impressed by the mature and upbeat way that our young people have responded in these very difficult circumstances and the way in which they have supported each other as a community. We will continue to work with every young person to support them on to the next steps that are right for them and look forward to following their further progress in the years to come’.