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Leeds congratulates students on first post-pandemic A Level Results Day

"To say that the last couple of years has been challenging for everyone in schools and other learning settings would be an understatement".

Sophie Smith - 18th August 2022

Leeds City Council has shared its congratulations with all those recieving results today.

Across the country marks an occasion that young people sitting their A Level and post-16 examinations are unlikely to forget anytime soon.

Marking the first return of face-to-face exams since pre-pandemic times, this was a year group that has faced a number of unique challenges that span far greater than the usual maths questions and A-Level exam worries.

Both A Levels and equivalent vocational exams were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Instead, grades were generated by schools based on internal assessment and work produced over the course of study by pupils.

Therefore, this led to another unique set of results that is very difficult to compare to previous years.

On the whole, Leeds City Council reports that grades in 2020 and 2021 were generally higher than they were in 2019 due to the different assessment system used. This year, exam boards set grades at a midpoint between summer 2019 and 2021.

A level results day!!!!! Remember…these youngsters had school ripped away in March 2020. They had never sat public exams…they were taught online for a considerable chunk of time. They are amazing.#AlevelResultsDay2022 #alevelresultsday #alevels2022

— Louise Jaunbocus-Cooper (@Louise_MixEd) August 18, 2022

Noting that pupils sitting exams this year had their education disrupted by the pandemic, they were given additional support in most exams such as information in advance on the area of focus. Pupils in maths and physics had formulae tables rather than being expected to learn them off by heart.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's executive board member for economy, culture and education has commented on the results: “I’d like to congratulate everyone on the results they have received today, which as always, are the outcome of a lot of hard work, effort and determination, as well as the high quality of teaching in our schools and colleges. 

“To say that the last couple of years has been challenging for everyone in schools and other learning settings would be an understatement. Pupils across the system have shown remarkable resilience in overcoming the challenges to their education caused by the pandemic.”

"Schools and colleges are on hand to offer additional advice and guidance, and I want to thank all those staff for the support they are providing to young people in the city as they consider their next steps."

For all students, regardless of their results, this marks an emotional day that finalises their past years of study- and each should be proud of their achievements.

Feature Image- Leeds City Council