Epping St John’s C of E pupils celebrate A-level brilliance

Just three students from Epping St John’s Church of England School Sixth Form are going through the clearing process after their downgraded results meant they did not secure the further education places they had hoped for.

While many nationally saw results slightly lower than predicted, there was much to celebrate in Epping as they confirmed their spots at university.

Millie Johnson is eagerly awaiting an interview for University of Essex, having scored higher grades than expected, meaning she can now apply to study occupational therapy. She picked up A in biology, B in psychology and Distinction* in health and social care. She is still going to appeal her psychology grade, having achieved A* in her mock exams.

Millie Johnson

She said: “I have decided to go for a different course at a different uni as I got better grades than expected.

“When lockdown happened, it was quite hard as it felt like school just stopped; our exams and prom were cancelled.

“I have been very nervous waiting for today because of all of the uncertainty. I was very happy to see my results.

“It will be quite hard to think about going back to lessons, but it is quite exciting.”

Jasmine Turnell, from Epping, is heading to Southampton University to study marine biology with oceanography after picking up A in geography, B in biology and C in chemistry – exactly the grades she had hoped for.

Jasmine Turnell

The teenager, who has kept busy studying sign language and completing National Geographic conservation courses during lockdown, said: “They are the grades I was expecting, so I am happy.

“I was nervous before today because of the speculation and news that students in Scotland had had a bad deal. It did not sound great.

“I was pretty shocked I got what I needed and what I wanted. When the email arrived, I wanted to open it, but also didn’t want to! I did not know what I would do if I didn’t get the grades I wanted.

“I have received a congratulations email from uni, so I am happy and relieved.”

Eleanor Sibley, from Nazeing, is off to Southampton University to study history after collecting A in English, B in history and C in biology. She was hoping for AAB grades and so is appealing in the hope of getting what she was predicted.

Eleanor Sibley

She said: “I have got into uni, thankfully. At first, I was quite disappointed as I expected higher grades in history as that’s what I want to study.

“I had been revising quite a bit and so was sad I did not get to sit my exams.

“I was just hoping I would get into university as that is the main thing. I feel better now.”

Samuel Thorpe, from Waltham Abbey, is weighing up his options between a scholarship at Kent University and other Russell Group offerings, having secured exactly the grades he wanted – A grades in maths, physics and business. He is looking to study law and become a solicitor.

Samuel Thorpe

He said: “The results were what I expected; some are even better than expected! It was definitely good to open the email and have the results confirmed in front of me. It is all good.

“I was quite panicked when the exams were cancelled as we did not have any idea about the future. But, once they said we would get the grades we deserved, I felt better.

“It will probably take a while to get back into studying after a six-month break, but it will be the same for everyone. It is a bit stressful to think about starting uni, but once we are over that initial hurdle, it will be good.

“A lot of people at my sixth form are happy today.”

Lydia Barron, from Epping, is appealing her sociology A-level grading, having consistently achieved A and A* grades during the course and being downgraded to a B grade. However, having also secured A grades in art and philosophy and ethics, she has what she needs to study sociology at university.

Lydia Barron

She said: “I haven’t yet decided whether to go to uni this year or to defer my place for a year, partly due to the virus and partly to give me more time to decide what I want to do.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system when our exams were cancelled. I knew I had worked hard throughout my courses, so was confident I had done enough to prove myself. You can normally try to guess how you have done by how the exams went, so I was still unsure what I would get as we did not know how we would be judged. We just had to hope for the best.

“It is a relief just to know it is all alright. I am happy with my grades. If I can get my sociology grade revised, it will be great, but if not I am still happy.”

Oscar Hutchins, from Epping, is appealing all but one of his grades, having expected straight B grades and instead picking up B grades in history and business and C grades in sociology and English. He has secured his second-place university of Royal Holloway University, but is hoping with refreshed grades he will be accepted at his first choice of UCL to study history.

Oscar Hutchins

He said: “I am quite happy, but I do feel I could have done better as I was predicted all Bs.

“Even though the results are not what I was hoping for, they are by no means bad grades and I have got into uni and that is the most important thing.

“I really like history; I am quite passionate about it. So, I will not struggle to get back into the swing of things when I start uni. It is a fresh start.”

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