A-level results day: Portsmouth College principal 'happy overall' with results but slams government over timing of decision

Simon Barrable also hit out at the timing of the government’s decision to introduce the triple lock system – which allows colleges to appeal results which are lower than mock examination grades – which was announced the day before A-level results were published.

Mr Barrable branded the timing ‘a disgrace’ and said it had ‘created further stress for all involved’.

The college continued a three-year upward trend in performance with 49.3 per cent of students being awarded A* to B grades and 97.4 per cent achieving a pass of at least a grade E. This compares to 49 per cent and 97 per cent respectively in the previous academic year.

Mr Barrable said: ‘I’m happy with the overall results. They weren’t far off our overall predictions and I think they are generally fair, although there will inevitably be some students who have fared better than others.’

One student who felt she’d lost out under the system of calculated grades was 18-year-old Helen Gallagher who was predicted a C and B in politics and media and was awarded grade Ds.

Helen said: ‘I definitely don’t think the system has been fair to me. I’m sure if I’d been able to sit the exams then my results would have been better.’

Other students felt the results they’d received were an accurate reflection of their performance.

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Pawel Bes, 18, got straight A grades in maths, business and computer science. In September he is going to start an apprenticeship in digital and technology solutions at engineering company, Thales.

Pawel said: 'I was quite nervous about coming to collect my results as I wasn't sure how the system would work out. My grades ended up matching my predictions and I think it has been quite fair for me.'

Fellow student, Jess Todd, 18, also got straight As – which matched her predictions – and is going to study geography at the University of Southampton.

Jess said: ‘I was really nervous this morning but tonight I’m going to go out and celebrate.’

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