A-level students celebrate ‘incredible achievements’ after return to pre-pandemic grading

Thousands of Jewish students across the country received their A-level results on Thursday, in a year when ministers and the exams regulator in England aimed to return to pre-pandemic grading.

JCoSS announced “truly exceptional” set of public examination results for Year 13 students, with 52% of grades being at A*/A (or equivalent). At A Level 77% of grades were Grade B or above. In vocational subjects, 28% of grades were distinction* and 71% of grades were distinction or better.

In addition, seven students at JCoSS secured their places at Oxbridge / Medical School. Headteacher Dr Melanie Lee said she was “thrilled and privileged” to be announcing these “brilliant results.”

“Despite the promise of tougher grading this year, our students have achieved even better outcomes than the pre-Covid 2019 results. Our students’ academic accomplishments give us cause for great celebration, but we also take much pride in acknowledging that our students leave JCoSS as accomplished mensches, embodying the values of the school and the wider community,” Dr Lee said.

Yavneh College also had reason to celebrates, with 50% of all grades being A*-A. Executive headteacher Spencer Lewis said: “We are once again delighted with these post-16 results, both at A Level and in our vocational course in business studies. The students have worked so hard and should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

“These are their first public examinations, having not taken ‘real’ GCSE exams in 2021 and to have 50% of A Level grades at A* or A and such a high percentage of distinctions in the BTEC course is a real testament to the hard work of the students and the dedication and commitment of the staff, who deserve a huge amount of thanks,” he added.

At JFS, headteacher at Dr David Moody said the examination results revealed that 60% of all grades were A or A*.

“It is an increase of more than 10% on our 2019 performance and is alongside the incredible achievement that 98% of all grades were A*-C and 88% of all grades were A*-B. Equally, our vocational courses have performed exceptionally well, also with a significant increase on 2019,” Dr Moody said.

“Considering that this is our students’ first set of nationally standardised results, and at a time when all covid adjustments have been removed, it is a reflection of everyone’s tenacity and determination to succeed. My thanks go to all the staff and parents who have supported our pupils throughout their time with us and I am excited for all the futures that await them,” he added.

At Hasmonean High School for Boys, 43% of students attained A*/A grades, and a “significant number” outperformed their target grades.

The vast majority of students will go on to study at yeshiva and will then take up places at a number of top universities, the school said in a statement.

“I am so fortunate to have been a Hasmonean Boys’ School student. I made friends from Year 7 and each year just got better. The ‘A’ level years were the best of all. The Rebbe and teachers really cared and helped at every stage. I have just arrived at Yeshivat HaKotel and look forward to applying to university next year,” said Ami Jacobs, Year 13 student who attained 4 A* grades in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Immanuel College – the UK’s only Jewish independent 4-to-18 school – achieved 57% top A*/A grades, with the vast majority of students proceeding to their first choice of university.

“This group of pupils faced both the tremendous disruption of lockdown and toughened grade boundaries; yet they have shown strength, imagination and limitless potential. Each of them an individual, our students continue to stretch themselves beyond expectation and deserve hearty congratulations,” said Immanuel College Head Master, Dr. Millan Sachania.