A-level results: East Sussex College students celebrate via Zoom and Instagram

Zoom calls, Instagram photos and hashtags were the order of the day as students received their A-level and vocational results yesterday morning (Thursday, August 13).

Physical get-togethers may have been put on hold, but students celebrated on social media as they finished their time in further education.

For the first time, A-level results were decided through a mixture of teacher predictions and national moderation.

The college said it continued to improve its overall pass rate this year and despite restrictions and uncertainties around Covid-19, the college added it was able to provide students with advice and guidance about their options after college.

Many have been able to gain access to their first choice universities and others have been able to take advantage of the college’s foundation degree and Level 4 offerings while they assess their options over the next 12 months.

The college said there were some outstanding results across its three campuses in Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes.

In Hastings, Daisy Chitty Williams secured outstanding straight A*s in her three subjects fine art, graphics and psychology.

Daisy did have plans to travel this summer, but due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has put those on hold and will join the Art Foundation course at Station Plaza with plans to study fine art in London afterwards.

Olivia Woodward-Benn achieved three Bs in business, economics and sociology and said she was delighted to secure the grades she needs for her first choice university.

She added: “I am thankful to my lecturers, especially in economics and sociology, who have continued to support me during this unusual situation.

“I’m off to the University of West England (Bristol) to study business management and economics.

“Due to Covid-19, rather than live in university halls, I will move in with family near the campus. I am excited to go to university, but realise it’s going to be different from my original expectations.”

In Lewes, Jordan Morris-Noone, 18, achieved an A* in dance and has a place at the renowned Institute of the Arts in Barcelona.

He also passed his other two A-levels, achieving a B in French and C in drama and theatre studies.

Jack Woodgate studied graphics, photography and geography in Lewes and was awarded an A* A B grades respectively.

He said: “I think the Government has done the fairest job they could. I may appeal my geography grade as I was on track to receive an A.

“I’m staying at Lewes to study a Level 4 course, which is basically an extension of graphics.

Paying university fees for what could be two terms of online learning wasn’t ideal, so I’m glad I decided to pursue the Level 4 route at ESC.”

In Eastbourne, Nathan Jukes who studied maths, computer science and physics celebrated achieving A*, A, C grades.

Vocational students also received their BTEC results, with excellent results on the popular public services courses, childcare and engineering.

In Eastbourne, Conor Nicholls and Joshua Ndubuisi achieved triple Distinction* in Public Services.

Rebecca Conroy, acting CEO of East Sussex College, said: “Today is a day to celebrate with our students who have achieved their expected grades in these extraordinary and challenging times. We are immensely proud of all our students and recognise their efforts over the last two years.

“Unfortunately, though we have also seen a higher than the national average of students having their grades reduced during the moderation process and so we are equally focused on supporting these students, providing them with advice on what their next steps are and have made it easy for them to lodge an appeal via our website if they choose to do so.”

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