Sir Robert Woodard Academy A-level results: ‘Tears of relief’ as pupils celebrate success

Pupils and staff at Lancing’s Sir Robert Woodard Academy sixth form are celebrating A-level success amid difficult circumstances.
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Exam cancellations in the wake of coronavirus meant students received grades based on the school and Government’s predictions.

Despite the new system leaving many pupils across the country disappointed, there were still many notable successes at SRWA.

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Megan Porter secured her place at Oxford University to study French with A grades in French and English Literature.

Grace Kirpal and Lia Gillette. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131700001Grace Kirpal and Lia Gillette. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131700001
Grace Kirpal and Lia Gillette. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131700001

She said she was ‘really excited’ to get going at university and said she had cried tears of relief when she got her results, but admitted the truncated school year had not been plain sailing.

“It’s been extremely stressful to not have any control over our grades,” she said, and added the long wait for results had been challenging.

Leonie Hull echoed Megan’s sentiments after gaining an A and two Bs in biology, maths and psychology respectively.

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Leonie has deferred a position at Portsmouth University to take a year to ‘sort herself out’, with an eye on pursuing a career in marine biology.

Grace Kirpal. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131733001Grace Kirpal. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131733001
Grace Kirpal. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131733001

The cancellation of exams had ‘good sides and bad sides’, she said, with the obvious removal of exam stress tempered by the unpredictability of not being fully in control of her own destiny.

Lia Gillett said her outstanding results of ABD did not ‘feel like mine’, having been awarded them based on predictions.

Even so, she was excited to be going ton to study media studies with a year abroad at the University of Kent.

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Trailblazing Grace Kirpal’s A in art, C in maths and D in psychology were enough to book her a place on a marathon seven-year architecture course at Oxford Brookes University - the first female from SRWA to study architecture.

Jamie Jasper A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131759001Jamie Jasper A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131759001
Jamie Jasper A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131759001

Bizarrely, Grace had her unconditional offer from the university rescinded as she ‘had not completed the school year’, despite the coronavirus pandemic taking that element out of her hands.

Jamie Jasper said his C in history and merit in media were ‘exactly what he was expecting’ and he looked forward to a possible career in marketing.

Tristan Sharples disputed his E in maths, after he said he was predicted a ‘C or a B’. Even so, his grades were enough to book him a spot at university in Malta studying mechanical engineering.

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A table covered in forms to appeal results was a hive of activity as pupils questioned results under the new Government system.

Leonie HullA Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131901001Leonie HullA Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131901001
Leonie HullA Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131901001

The academy’s performing arts specialism saw a third of theatre studies students achieve an A or A*.

Pupils put together online performances, including a full audio production of Star Wars Verily: A New Hope. Oliver Chenery cut together audio recordings from fellow students for the Shakespearian version of Star Wars, and created animations to accompany the audio.

With an A grade under his belt for the new Theatre and Drama A-level course, he is delighted to be moving on to study a BA in The Art of Visual Effects at Escape Studios in London.

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Elsewhere, English literature results were strong at the academy, with a third achieving an A* or A.

In philosophy and ethics, more than 60 per cent of students achieved top grades of A* to B.

Kieran Scanlon, headteacher at SRWA, said he was pleased the day felt like a normal results day, considering the circumstances.

Leonie Hull and Megan Porter. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131826001Leonie Hull and Megan Porter. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131826001
Leonie Hull and Megan Porter. A Level results day at Sir Robert Woodard Academy Lancing. Pic Steve Robards SR2008131 SUS-200813-131826001

“On the whole, we’re pleased that most of our students have received their first choice offers,” he said.

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“We are obviously delighted that Megan will be going on to study languages at Oxford. We’re very lucky to have some excellent students in our sixth form and we wish them all well for the future.”

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