Educational institutions reflect on outstanding A Level results

Marketing Derby Bondholders involved in the education sector have been reflecting on a stellar performance by their A Level students.

Last week, the latest A Level results were released – and Derby College Group, Derby High School and Repton School have all hailed the performance of their students.

At Derby College Group, the majority of A Level students secured the grades needed to progress to their first-choice university.

Meanwhile, at Derby High School achieved its best-ever A Level results, while Repton saw its strongest set of grades in recent years.

At Derby College Group, a 97% pass rate was achieved.

Heather Kelly, deputy chief executive of Derby College Group, said: “These results are a brilliant reflection of the hard work, ambition and resilience shown by our students this year, and of the dedication of our staff who support them every step of the way.

“Whether they are moving on to university, an apprenticeship or straight into employment, our students leave DCG with the skills, confidence and qualifications to build a future they can be proud of.

“We wish every one of them the very best for what comes next.”

Derby College Group is one of the biggest education providers of A Levels, T Levels and BTECs in the region.

A closer look at its figures shows that 347 A Level students achieved results this year, an increase of six per cent on last year, across a broad range of 26 subjects. A 97% pass rate was achieved.

86 students completed Core Maths or an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside A Levels.

These give students a head start, sharpening the independent research, critical thinking and time management skills that universities and employers consistently look for.

Meanwhile, 152 T Level students completed their courses this year, up from 85 last year, across eight subjects.

A quarter achieved a Distinction (equivalent to three A grades at A Level), with 80% achieving Merit or above.

Finally, 1,022 students received Level 3 BTEC results this year, up from 950 last year, with almost half achieving a Distinction.

Meanwhile, Derby High School is reflecting on its best-ever A Level performance, with 80% of all grades awarded at A* to B, and an outstanding 27% at A*.

There were outstanding individual achievements across the cohort, with six students securing three A* grades and a further seven achieving all A* and A grades.

Together, this means that more than 30% of Derby High’s A Level students achieved A* and A grades.

Amy Chapman, head of Derby High, said: “We are incredibly proud of what our students have achieved.

“These are exceptional results and reflect so much commitment over the past two years.

“Results day is an important moment in every student’s individual journey.

“This is about recognising how far they have come, celebrating their achievements and looking forward with confidence to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Finally, Repton School pupils celebrate outstanding A Level results, with almost a quarter of all grades awarded at A*.

Nearly half (49%) of entries were graded A* or A, and 79% were graded A* to B. 22 pupils achieved straight A* or A grades across their subjects.

Nearly 80% of the Class of 2026 will now take up places at their first-choice universities.

Repton leavers are heading to some of the best universities in the UK, including Oxford and Cambridge, and a growing number are set to study at leading international institutions such as Harvard, McGill and Louisiana State University.

Several will combine their degrees with elite sporting programmes, as they continue to compete at the highest level alongside their academic work.

Headmaster Mark Semmence said: “Results day is the moment when a great deal of quiet, unglamorous work finally becomes visible.

“What has struck me about this year group is not only what they have achieved but the way they have gone about it, supporting one another through two demanding years without losing their focus and ensuring they remain as a collective.

“We are incredibly ambitious for every pupil at Repton, and these results will enable this cohort to do exactly what they hoped to do next. They leave with our great admiration as well as our thanks.”

Derby City Council has issued advice to students who may not have achieved the results they wanted. To access it, click here.