We have loved welcoming back so many students to DHSB this morning to celebrate their A level results and to provide advice and guidance on their next steps.

It is incredibly important that we take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge the tremendous achievements of all our young people and it has been brilliant for our staff and our students' families to be on site this morning to celebrate this success.

Important context regarding these results

We must remember that this is the first year since the pandemic that exams have taken place without any significant adaptations.

Ofqual has put systems in place to ensure that nationally grades will not be lower than in 2019, even if the quality of work is slightly lower. In other words, a student has about the same chance as achieving a Grade 4 or Grade 7 or Grade 9, etc. at GCSE, or a Grade A*, Grade C, etc. at A level, as they did before the pandemic.

This is the main way in which the exam boards are attempting to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by having lived through the pandemic.

With regards to University offers, UCAS, the organisation which coordinates students’ applications to university, has worked in the normal way this year, and applicants will already have their offers.

Considering the disruptions and challenges that our students have faced over the last few years they have worked extremely hard and demonstrated great determination and commitment to their studies. They deserve the highest recognition and rewards in progression to their next steps.

I would like to convey my sincerest thanks to all of the staff who have worked tirelessly over the years to support our students and I would also like to convey my sincerest thanks to our parents and carers who have provided fantastic support to their children over the years and in particular have had to guide them through a extremely challenging time, together with the brilliant efforts of our young people they are celebrating an excellent set of results and most importantly are progressing to their next exciting adventures.

We wish all of our Year 13 students every success with their next steps and we look forward to hearing from them in the future on how they are getting on.

Good luck!