A-Level results 2021: Newark Academy Sixth Form students' relief and excitement for the future
Relief and excitement for the future was the atmosphere at Newark Academy Sixth Form as students picked up their A-Level results.
There were largely happy faces and some tears as sixth formers collected their result envelopes this morning (Tuesday) following what had been an unprecedented year for those in education.
Students said the school had been very supportive throughout the coronavirus pandemic and various lockdowns, providing the resources pupils needed to give themselves a final push.
Among the very high achievers was Sam Braund who got A*s in both maths and drama and a distinction star in digital media.
"I feel great, I put in the work," said Sam. "During lockdown it was quite difficult to stay focused but the school did everything great and it was well handled.
"I don't feel like I missed out on anything.
"Now, I'm going to having a year out before looking at doing drama down in London.
"I'm about to go and tell my family. They will be happy — but that's an understatement."
Lucy Broomfield is the college's first ever student to go on to study veterinary science at university.
She said: I'm really happy, this is is something I've wanted to do since I was ten.
"I'll be at Liverpool University and I feel like I'm prepared for the future. But being the first ever student to go on to veterinary science, it's a lot of pressure if you know what I mean — but I'm happy I've done it."
George Bourke only realised he had achieved an A* in business when he double-checked his results.
"I'm off to the University of Leeds to do international business and marketing, so I'm just so over the moon and excited for that," he said.
"It was so, so difficult this year.
"The week when we were doing most of our assessments, a lot of us got pinged by the app and I was one of the only students who didn't — so it was pretty much just me doing the assessments on my own.
"Not a nice feeling. It was a whole new experience so there was a lot of pressure, you didn't know what to expect.
"My family are also over the moon and had a massive sigh of relief, it's a massive weight of our shoulders."
Hannah Hubbard said she achieved what she had hoped, equipped with an A in law to pursue criminology at De Montfort University.
"It has been hard during the pandemic because I lost my motivation a couple of times, but I'm happy with how it has turned out," said Hannah.
"The school has given so much support.
"I FaceTimed my family when I was opening up my results and there was just relief. I didn't know what I was looking at first because there was so many sheets but when I saw — I was just like thank God."
Callum Ellwood achieved an A, B and distinction in drama, business and digital media.
He said: "I'm going on to do technical theatre and stage management at Lincoln University.
"This year has definitely been affected by coronavirus and it's not made it easy but the school provided all the support and resources we needed to get through.
"And, we did get through."
Sophie Rouse was in tears as soon as she saw her results, two As and one A*.
"It's just amazing," she said. "I did not expect that one bit.
"It was so hard and difficult I just can't believe it. I just kept trying and it finally paid off.
"I'm going to Bath University, which I'm really excited for. I went to visit and just knew I wanted to go — not long now."
Maths and science student Kai Oxley said he hoped his results would put him one step closer to his dream.
He said: "Maths, biology and chemistry were hard subjects and it was a struggle, but I got what I needed — three Bs to go to Newcastle University and study biology, so I'm really proud of that.
"I'm looking at doing a masters in animal conservation after and then travel the world while working — that's the dream.
"It's not about the money, it's about experience. At the end of the day, I don't care how much I get paid if I'm living the life I want to live. This is one step closure hopefully.
"Coronavirus and working from home, I hated it and had no motivation at all.
"But getting back in to the routine of school, hammering out revision and stuff — that's probably what got me through.
"Mum started crying bless her, she was more nervous than me. Last night she couldn't sleep or anything."
Matthew Speed said he pushed through the difficulties of coronavirus and achieved an A in maths and Bs in physics and business.
"I'm really happy, I've just texted my family now," he said. "I'm going down to Portsmouth to do computer science now.
"Because of coronavirus, having motivation has been a real struggle, but I persevered in the end and pushed through."
Friends Sabina Meehan and Bianca Eckert, originally from Azerbaijan and Spain, both got the same grades — A*, A, B — are going to the same university and even staying in the same accommodation.
"I'm going to study a four-year degree in advanced psychology, which comes with a masters at the end," said Sabina.
"Throughout coronavirus it has been so confusing because we didn't know what was happening with our exams.
"It felt like every day there were new rules from Boris or another lockdown."
Bianca is going to study international business and marketing. She said: "We're very excited but I only have cutlery. I've got a few weeks to pack yet."
