St. Mary’s College celebrate another excellent set of A-level results

Students and staff at St. Mary’s College in Crosby are celebrating another excellent set of A-level results this summer, despite the widespread disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Building on the high standards of previous years candidates again recorded a 99 per cent pass rate in the key examinations, with more than a third (37 per cent) achieving three or more A*, A or B grades, up from 34 per cent last year.

Further year-on-year improvement saw almost a third of all passes (30 per cent) being at the highest A* or A grades (up from 27 per cent in 2019).

And 62 per cent of passes were at A*, A or B grade, up from 59 per cent last summer, 57 per cent in 2018 and 52 per cent in 2017.

Top of the class at St. Mary’s this year was Ben Dickinson, who achieved A* passes in Further Mathematics and Physics, an A in Chemistry plus an A in his Computer Science AS Level.

This follows hot on the heels of the A* he achieved in his Mathematics A-level which he took two years early back in 2018. Ben is off to Durham University, where he will be studying Mathematics.

Ben commented: “I am very proud of my results and I am thankful for the support I have had from my teachers at St. Mary’s throughout my seven years here. Although I will be sad to leave, I am looking forward to my time at university.”

Another high achiever was St. Mary’s Head Girl Georgina Duncan, who achieved A* passes in English Literature and Music plus an A in Physical Education. Georgina is going to study English Literature at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Georgina commented: “Results day is an unnerving occasion in normal circumstances. Today was even more so with the future still very much unknown, which is why a few of us didn’t get much sleep last night.

“My state of mind can only be described as a maelstrom of emotions, but mainly, a sense of overwhelming relief.

“I have my teachers and family to thank for their unwavering support throughout these extraordinary times. I am very proud of all I have achieved throughout my time at St. Mary’s. It has been an experience I will never forget.”

Although staff at St. Mary’s are very pleased with the results, they believe the headline statistics could rise still higher.

They point out that some pupils are disappointed that their teacher-assessed grades have been marked down, and have high hopes that they will be adjusted on appeal.

Commenting on this year’s A-levels St. Mary’s Principal, Mike Kennedy, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce such a pleasing set of improved results in what has been an exceptionally difficult year.

“I am also very proud of the pupils and staff who have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results despite the challenges they have faced, seeing formal examinations cancelled and having to adjust to remote learning from home during lockdown.

“There is still work for us to do supporting those pupils who are querying some grades, and we will do everything in our power to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work over many years.

“But for now I would like to pay tribute to all our A-level students who have made such a big contribution to life at St. Mary’s over recent years,” said Mr Kennedy.

“Naturally we are sorry to see them go, but we salute their achievements and wish them every success in the wide range of future education and career paths they have chosen.”