A-level results: Portsmouth High School pupils delighted as A* and A grades rise

Students arrived at Portsmouth High School in Kent Road, Southsea from 8am to learn their fate after all national exams were scrapped because of coronavirus.

Results were instead calculated using an Ofqual algorithm that cross-referenced pupils’ predicted grades, the school’s previous results and expected national outcomes.

Headmistress Jane Prescott said the school would not be disclosing an overall breakdown of its results in a bid to treat pupils ‘fairly' in extraordinary circumstances.

But she confirmed the percentage of pupils receiving A* and A grades was higher than in recent years.

She told The News: ‘We’re very pleased with how the girls worked throughout the two years at A-level and, in most cases, the results are indicative of that hard work they put in.

‘Indeed I’m also grateful to the staff who worked very hard to give a centre-assessed grade.

‘Inevitably there are some who have lost out to the algorithm that has been applied but we still hope they’ll get into their university and go off on to their course of choice.’

Lowena Hull, from Rowlands Castle, was all smiles after scooping four A*s in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.

The 18-year-old will now study physical natural sciences at the University of Cambridge.

She said: ‘I know myself best of all and I know going into exams I would have done all the work I needed to do to get the grades I'm happy with.

'It was scary this year saying I have no influence over this, but I'm delighted.'

Olivia Cross, 17, from Fareham, also revelled in a success story of her own – but was dubious over the calculation of one of her grades.

She received an A* in art, an A in her extended project, a C in computer science and a D in maths.

She said: ‘This year has been stressful and I feel if I was given the chance to do exams I would’ve done better in my maths.’

Olivia will now head to Staffordshire University to study games design.

MORE HERE: Here's how schools in the Portsmouth area have performed this year

The avid PC gamer, who aspires to develop indie games, added: ‘My family is full of engineers and I've always been fascinated by the mechanics of video games.

'This is a way of combining those two things and learning about how games are designed and what makes them fun.

‘Games have been an escape for so many people during lockdown and I’m thrilled about the idea of one day creating that experience for others.’

Rob Smith, head of Portsmouth High School's sixth form, praised all pupils for their ‘tremendous’ hard work – even in the face of a national lockdown.

He said: ‘Of course this year wasn't the way we wanted it to be, but you've stepped up and made good use of every opportunity we’ve given you.

‘I’m really excited for you and I know you’ will thrive and be brilliant, as you always have been, when you start university in September.'

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