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A-Level Results Day 2019: Updates from Dover and Deal schools

06:00, 15 August 2019

updated: 16:11, 15 August 2019

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It's the day thousands of teenagers have been waiting for, A-level results are out.

Our reporters and photographers have been at at schools in Dover and Deal as students rip open those all-important envelopes.

The results can have a big impact on what young people do next with going to university among the options.

But if the grades weren't as good as expected, help is at hand from organisations like UCAS.

Follow updates on Twitter using #KentALevels2019

Sir Roger Manwood's School, Sandwich:

It was a time to rejoice at Sir Roger Manwood’s School, where every student achieved the grades they need to go on to their next step.

The overall pass rate at the Sandwich grammar school was 98%, with 78% of all grades being at grade C or above, and 52% at grade B or above.

Some of the standout statistics include: 38 students gained at least 3 B grades, 13 students gained at least AAA or better, three students achieved at least A*AA or better, four students achieved at least A*A*A or better, two achieved at least A*A*A* or better and one student achieved 4 A* grades.

A statement from the school said: “The year group has both benefitted from, and added to, the wider life of the school in their time with us, and they leave Manwood’s as well rounded young people, fully prepared for the next stage of their young lives.

“We wish them well for the next stages.”

Dover Grammar School for Boys says it has achieved its highest percentage of A* to A grades in the last five years.

Results overall saw an increase in the number of students achieving A* to B grades.

Head teacher Philip Horstrup said: "We are all immensely proud to have been able to play our part in helping our students to progress to the next stage of their lives, whether they choose to go to university, enter employment, begin an

apprenticeship or join the armed forces."

Dover grammar school student Joe Wardhaugh - got a place in Cambridge
Dover grammar school student Joe Wardhaugh - got a place in Cambridge

Joe Wardhaugh's grades were so high he was given a place at Cambridge University, to study music at Girton College.

He got A*s in maths and music and an A in French.

He said: "It's what I've been aiming for for the last two years so it's really good that it's gone to plan.

"I felt like I had done all the work I could so even if I hadn't got the results I had tried my best."

Astor College in Dover reports that 24% of its grades were A* to B and 48% were A* to C.

Principal Lee Kane said: "A significant number of all A level or equivalent qualifications achieved A* to C, with a continued improvement across all other grade boundaries.

"These results are particularly impressive when we considere the starting points of the students and the difficulty the newly reformed A levels pose to the students."

Astor pupil Caitlin Jennings - got higher grades than needed
Astor pupil Caitlin Jennings - got higher grades than needed

Astor Student Caitlin Jennings got As in fine art and graphic design and a B in media studies and has now earned a place in Norwich Univesity for the Arts to study graphic design.

She said: "I only needed the grades B, C and C so I got way more than I needed. It was stressful studying but it was worth it. "Once you get your results you have that feeling that all your hard work went towards something."

Oscar Holmes - gained three Bs
Oscar Holmes - gained three Bs

Oscar Holmes, also from Astor, got three Bs in chemistry, biology and maths and this morning received an email confirming he has the place he wanted in university.

He said: "The studying was definitely difficult but I'm glad that it's worked out."

Dover Grammar School for Girls student with their results..Pictured, from left, are Hannah Smith, Jacob Maddison; Rachel Stephens and Helen Minns. Picture: Dover Grammar School for Girls (15281045)
Dover Grammar School for Girls student with their results..Pictured, from left, are Hannah Smith, Jacob Maddison; Rachel Stephens and Helen Minns. Picture: Dover Grammar School for Girls (15281045)

At Dover Grammar School for Girls nearly 75% of students achieved A* to C grades and 35 of them gained ABB or higher.

Seven have been awarded A/A* in all their subjects.

A total 30 of the youngsters took up unconditional offers at univesities across the country. Students are going on to studies courses such as law, engineering, midwifery, forensic psychology, English and physics.

Head teacher Robert Benson said: "The whole school community would like to congratulate our A level students on their results.

"Not only have they worked hard to achieve their succes they have done so while contributing to the school community."

Harriet Mackie with her A level English teacher Rosina Clemo at Sandwich Technology School. Picture: Sandwich Technology School
Harriet Mackie with her A level English teacher Rosina Clemo at Sandwich Technology School. Picture: Sandwich Technology School

Sandwich Technology School says that on average, across all A levels and their equivalents,

students have achieved one grade higher than in 2018.

The results also contained a significant increase in the proportion of A* or A grades, which is 17% this year.

Head teacher Tracey Savage said: "These fantastic results are down to the students’ hard work, resilience and a can do attitude.

"Our sixth form staff have really worked hard to encourage the students to develop a good work ethic and believe in themselves and it has paid dividends.”

Harriet Mackie achieved an A* and two A grades in her three A levels and has an offer from Sussex University.

Sandwich student Arthur Freeman. Picture: Sandwich Technology School
Sandwich student Arthur Freeman. Picture: Sandwich Technology School

Arthur Freeman achieved three A levels, including two A grades and will study sociology at Warwick University.

School head student Layla Crick got four A levels including an A* and B grades.

She will study art and design at the University of Creative Arts, which has campuses in Kent and Surrey.

High flying students Sam Russell, Saskia De Giles andFiona Saunderson. Picture: Duke of York's Royal Military School
High flying students Sam Russell, Saskia De Giles andFiona Saunderson. Picture: Duke of York's Royal Military School

At the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Dover, 45% of results in A level and BTEC were A* to B grades.

There was also a 97% pass rate.

A total 80% of students are going to university, 10% into the military and 10% into employment.

Outstanding successes included Fiona Saunderson who will now read law at Cambridge or Bristol. She already passed a Law National Aptitude Test to progress to that.

Fiona now has three A*s in English literature, and EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), 5,000-word research project on a given subject.

She also has an A in history.

Sam Russell, gained a Double Distinction* in engineering, As in PE and EPQ and a B in maths.

He will start civil engineering at Russell Group university.

Saskia De Giles earned a A* in geography, an A in EPQ, and Bs in business and government and politics. She will read international relations at Leeds University.

School principal Alex Foreman said: : “We have seen remarkable results and great progress this year with outstanding achievements in subjects such as engineering where the average

grade was the highest possible at Dist.*.

" Other subjects with high level performances include history, chemistry, photography, and performing arts, demonstrating strength across all faculties.

" I’d like to congratulate all our students on an excellent set of results and wish them well in their chosen paths.”

Students Chris Stanley Xander Finnis, Sam Kennett and principal Simon Smith. Picture: Goodwin Academy
Students Chris Stanley Xander Finnis, Sam Kennett and principal Simon Smith. Picture: Goodwin Academy

At Goodwin Academy in Deal Sam Kennett achieved a Distinction* in his foundation diploma in engineering, alongside a B in A Level Geography. He now plans to read geography at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Charlotte Millet gained three B grades in English literature, psychology and history and will now read education with psychology at the University of Bath.

Students Hannah Brice and Chris Stanley. Picture: Goodwin Academy (
Students Hannah Brice and Chris Stanley. Picture: Goodwin Academy (

Hannah Brice gained a place at Canterbury Christ Church College to read special educational needs and inclusion studies.

Meanwhile Orla O'Hare will read English Literature at Reading University, having gained Cs in A level history and English literature and a Distinction in her business course.

Simon Smith, principal of Goodwin Academy, said: “I am incredibly proud of our students. I would like to congratulate them on the results they have achieved and wish them the very best of luck as they embark on the next stage of their lives

"I would also like to thank our teachers and parents for all the support they have given our students to help them achieve these results.”

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich

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