Sunderland students receive A Level results after year with no exams during coronavirus pandemic

Instead of sitting exams, students received their results based on predicted grades assigned by teachers – which were then reviewed by moderators.

At Southmoor Academy, students still managed to excel despite the unprecedented circumstances; three pupils have gone on to study medicine and another three students are taking up places at the University of Oxford.

Southmoor Academy student Roop Kang, 18, from Sunderland, achieved an A in maths, an A in computer science and a B in physics.

Now, Roop has a decision to make after his fantastic results saw him accepted into a pilot academy in Oxford and secured him a place on an aviation course at the University of Leeds.

On studying during the pandemic, Roop said: “It has been a bit of a nightmare, especially as it got to March time. We didn’t really know what was happening, we thought we might have to study from home and then it was just a bit nerve-wracking.”

Southmoor student Millie Johnston, 18, also excelled, achieving an A in biology, an A in English literature and an A* in geography. She will now study geography at the University of Durham.

Fellow student Tyreke Holness, 18, was delighted with an A* in biology, an A* in chemistry and an A in maths.

He is going to study medicine at the University of Oxford.

On his experience during the pandemic, Tyreke said: "At the start, it was fine. Then, towards the end we started to have concerns over whether we would actually be sitting exams so it was a bit of a nightmare if I’m being honest.”

Lianne Bagshaw, director of sixth form at Southmoor Academy, is proud of what the students have achieved after staff kept in ‘daily contact’ with them.

She said: “They have really shown resilience all the way through and opted to do extra study, extra courses and [were] really thinking about preparing themselves for the next stage.”

Sunderland College students were also celebrating their success.

Student Lewis Clabby, 18, achieved three As in history, English literature and law and hopes to take up a place at the University of Cambridge.

Lewis said: “It has been odd with not doing exams but you get used to it after a while.

"I am happy with the results.”

Fellow college student Stephanie Allen, 19, was also happy, having achieved an A in politics, a B in history and a B in law to take up a place at the University of Leeds.

While Harry Barnes, 18, achieved a B in history, an A in politics and a B in maths to study politics and history at Newcastle University.

Judith Quinn, Sunderland College Interim Deputy Principal of Curriculum, said: "Today is about making sure those individual students behind those statistics and data are not disadvantaged and are able to progress to the next steps in their education and career.”

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