Despite the clouds of controversy surrounding the way these results have been graded due to the coronavirus pandemic, the picture here at Redmaids’ High School is extremely strong.

Individual successes include Rosie and Layla who are heading to Oxford University to study English and History respectively, and Lauren who will take her place at Cambridge University to study Natural Sciences having taken a gap year.  

A number of girls received all A* and A grades, including Chloe who achieved four A*s and plans to study Maths at Bath University.   

Regina who joined us from Blaise High School in Year 12 on a scholarship achieved an A* and two As, and so has secured her place at Warwick University to study Physics and Astro Physics. 

This has been an extremely challenging time, exacerbated by last-minute changes from the Government and a u-turn after the grades had been awarded, which saw the students being given their ‘Centre Assessed Grades’ as predicted by their teachers.  

Reflecting on this, Headmistress Isabel Tobias, who is retiring at the end of the summer holidays, said, “This has been an extremely challenging time for students and schools, with the parameters constantly changing.  

“However, following the Government’s announcement on 17 August, we are pleased that A Level students – our own, and those across the country - will now all receive the grades that their teachers believe they are deserving of, putting an end to the feelings of trauma and helplessness that many experienced. Although this doesn’t compare to actually sitting the exams, it is at least a fairer reflection of their capabilities.

"We're so proud of all of our students and how they have responded in this turbulent time. I am delighted that the vast majority of our students have secured their first-choice university place and I am confident they are all now in a position to take the next positive next step in their education.”