STUDENTS at Okehampton College received their A-level results today in what has been a very unusual year, said headteacher Derrick Brett.

Mr Brett said the students had ‘conducted themselves magnificiently’ as some arrived at college to receive their envelopes with social distancing in place. He declined, though, to single out candidates in a year when in common with students across the country results had to be calculated differently after studies were interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking today, Mr Brett said: ‘It has been a difficult year for the Year 13 students who, due to the Covid-19 situation were unable to take their final exams. Instead students’ results were calculated using an algorithm based on teachers’ centre assessed grades, pupils’ prior attainment, the college’s previous results and the national database.

‘The students at Okehampton College received these results this morning. In the vast majority of cases the grades awarded by the exam boards were within one grade of those submitted by the college, with 50% of results being grade B or above and 80% at C or above and many students achieved excellent results.

‘Most students have now received places at university with most getting their first choice of institution and are off to a wide range of places including Durham, Cardiff, Warwick, Bristol, UEA and Loughborough.’

He added: ‘Throughout these unprecedented times the students have conducted themselves magnificently and regardless of whether the students’ next steps are university or the world of employment I wish them every success for the future.

‘Throughout the seven years they have been with us they have been a delightful year group and we are sad to see them go, however it was lovely to see so many of them this morning and I look forward to seeing them again for the awards evening at Christmas.’