A-Levels: Lodge Park Academy, Corby

After months of uncertainty, year 13 students at Lodge Park Academy were celebrating today after receiving excellent results for A-Levels and Level 3 vocational qualifications.

Despite not being able to sit their final exams due to the pandemic, students at the Shetland Way school in Corby were breathing a sigh of relief as they received confirmation of places at university and on apprenticeships.

Amongst the jubilant students were:

● Lewis Burlington who achieved two distinction* grades in IT and media studies as well as a B in geography. He has already secured a prestigious apprenticeship for a software company

based in Northampton;

● Aman Singh, who achieved a distinction* in IT, two distinctions in business studies and media studies;

● Shauna Ferguson, who achieved a distinction* for health and social care, two Bs for geography and sociology, and has accepted a place at the University of Coventry to study paramedic science;

● Alice Curston, who achieved a distinction for health and social care, two Cs for geography and sociology, and has accepted a place at the University of Northampton to study psychology and counselling;

● Keira Robertson-Currie who is off to the University of Chester to study English literature and history after gaining a distinction for health and social care, a B for English literature and a C

for history; and

● Alex Tugulea who, after achieving Bs in religious studies and sociology and a C in English literature, is looking forward to studying law with criminology at Nottingham Trent University.

Students received their results in person at the academy, whilst following strict guidelines for social distancing and sanitizing.

Executive principal Robert Sloan said: “We wanted to invite our students in so that we could celebrate with them. We know that many schools opted to send results out via email, but for us it was important to see our students, and their families, so that we could tell them how proud we are and wish them the very best for the future. We made sure this could happen safely, and we’re really glad we did.

"We haven’t seen our Year 13s since March and we’ve missed them.”

Sharing in the students’ success was Head of sixth form Andi York. Mr York praised the Year 13 students for their hard work and determination and said: “Our wonderful students have done themselves, their families and their teachers proud. They have exceeded expectations and every single one of them is now on a path towards further study or a career of their choice.”

Grades awarded to students were a combination of teacher judgement and statistical moderation undertaken by exam boards. The moderation meant that the teacher’s grades were adjusted based on the academy’s historical results, national results for each subject and each student’s prior attainment.

Overall at Lodge Park Academy, relatively few of the grades were adjusted and most students achieved grades in line with their teachers’ judgements.

Principal Carly Waterman said: “We could not be more proud of our students. They have approached this very challenging time calmly and with courage. We are delighted that they are all on their chosen path and that so many of them are fulfilling their ambitions for further study via university or apprenticeships.’

On the topic of the potential adjustments to teacher assessed grades, Mrs Waterman added: “There was no doubt that awarding grades to students during a pandemic was going to be a complex process. We are pleased that the majority of our students have received the grades they deserved and that 76 per cent of students achieved A* - C.

"We are also pleased that Ofqual, the regulating body for qualifications, has given us the right to appeal on behalf of those few who have had grades adjusted.

“Lodge Park Academy has undergone a rapid transformation recently, so basing any grades on historical performance is unfair. We will consider grounds for appeal for year 13 students and will do the same for Year 11 students next week.

“This has been a joint effort from many wonderful people who have pulled together to support our year 13 students through a really challenging time. We would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to support year 13 to achieve this level of success.”

Shauna Ferguson and Bogdan Grigore are a couple and are both going to Coventry University, Shauna to study paramedic science and Bogdan to study IT for Business.

Bogdan said: "Thank you to everyone from Lodge Park Academy. This place is like a big family. I feel so much affection for this school."

Shauna said: "I have been so well supported here at Lodge Park Academy. I am so glad I transferred to this school during Year 11. As soon as I arrived, I just loved it because I felt so supported."