A-levels 2023: Grades fall at South Oxfordshire schools

This year’s cohort did not sit their GCSE exams in 2021 and fewer special aids and measures were in place this year to recognise the amount of learning lost during the Covid pandemic.

The grades of schools across the district dropped from last year’s results, which had already declined from 2020 and 2021 when teacher-assessed grades replaced exams.

READ MORE: A-level results day 2023: latest across Oxfordshire

Across England, top A-level grades fell from 2022.

Many students spoke about the lack of exam practice as they collected their results on Thursday morning (August 17).

“Obviously, not doing GCSEs, you have not had the practice with sit down exams,” said Ollie Beasley from Wallingford School.

The 18-year-old, who lives in the town, received an A grade in biology and C grades in geography and chemistry and will study paramedic science at the University of Gloucestershire.

Ellie Heywood, 18, and Ollie Beasley, from Wallingford School (Image: Oxford Mail)

He said: “I was nervous obviously (walking into school). The main focus was getting into university. But it was a massive relief.”

His classmate Ellie Heywood, 18, also from Wallingford, received B grades in geography and psychology and a C grade in biology.

She will also study paramedic science, at St George's, University of London.

When asked if she was pleased with her results, she said: “Not really. My predicted grades were better. But I got what I needed to get

“It (the pandemic) definitely had an impact because there weren’t any proper exams before and a lot of us didn’t know how to react to exam season.”

But the pandemic did not stop some Wallingford students from achieving their desired grades.

Sophia Grace celebrated with her dog Lottie and parents Nick and Lena after receiving three A* grades in chemistry, biology and history to secure a place at the University of Southampton to study natural sciences.

The 18-year-old from Wallingford said: “I was catastrophizing that it was all going to go wrong.”

Wallingford School student Sophia Grace celebrated with her dog Lottie and parents Nick and Lena (Image: Oxford Mail)

Mr Grace said it had been “a journey for the whole family” and Mrs Grace added “she got that she deserved.”

Rebecca Pocock, 18, from Cholsey, shed tears of joy when she opened her envelope.

She received one A* grade in biology and three A grades in maths, PE and chemistry and will study medicine at Liverpool University after a gap year.

“I got exactly what I hoped for,” she said as she celebrated with her parents Michael and Susie.

Wallingford School student Rebecca Pocock with her parents Michael and Susie (Image: Oxford Mail)

Headteacher John Marston said: “This is the year group that didn’t sit GCSEs. It’s to their credit the results that have come through so far.

“There’s an element of that (the impact of the pandemic). But they have sat internal exams and we have prepared them.”

Of the students in Year 13 at Wallingford School this year:  

• Eight per cent of all entries gained A* grades (down from 15 per cent in 2022)
• 31 per cent of all entries gained A* to A grades (down from 43 per cent)
• 59 per cent of all entries gained A* to B grades (down from 73 per cent)
• 86 per cent of all entries gained A*to C grades (down from 90 per cent)
• 100 per cent of all entries gained A*to E grades (stayed the same)

At Didcot Sixth Form, grades also dropped off from last year.

But James Cross, director of the sixth form, said he was proud of a “great cohort.”

James Cross, director of Didcot Sixth Form, with Rose Still, head of Year 13 (Image: Oxford Mail)

“They have worked really hard and taken mock exams seriously to recover some of those experiences that they missed.

“If anything, they were more determined to ace it in the exams because they feel they have even more to prove.”

Of the students in Year 13 at Didcot Sixth Form this year: 

• 13 per cent of entries received A* grades (down from 18 per cent)
• 34 per cent received A* to A grades (down from 44 per cent)
• 66 per cent received A* to B grades (down from 68 per cent)
• 99 per cent received A* to E grades (stayed the same)

Of the students in Year 13 at King Alfred's Academy in Wantage this year:

• Seven per cent of entries received A* grades
• 25 per cent received A* to A grades (down from 33 per cent)
• 57 per cent received A* to B grades (down from 60 per cent)
• 80 per cent received A* to C grades (down from 83 per cent)

Of the students in Year 13 at Abingdon School this year:

• 69 per cent received A* to A grades (down from 79 per cent)
• 90 per cent received A* to B grades (down from 94 per cent)
• 98 per cent received A* to C grades (down from 99 per cent)
• 99 per cent received A* to E grades (down from 100 per cent)