A-level results day 2021: Recap the updates and reaction as students in Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham, Havant and Waterlooville collected grades

Ella Gillett with her results at Portsmouth High School - she achieved 3 A*s. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Thousands of pupils across Portsmouth and Hampshire have collected their A-level results.

There were plenty of smiles and sighs of relief as students found out what grades they have achieved this morning.

Once again exams have been cancelled due to the on-going Covid pandemic and the results are based on teacher assessments – drawing on a range of evidence, including mock exams, coursework and in-class assessments using questions by exam boards.

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Undated file photo of students sitting an exam. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Results day has also been moved slightly earlier in 2021, taking place on a Tuesday instead of the normal Thursday in mid-August slot, with GCSE’s being collected then instead.

Ofqual interim chief regulator Simon Lebus told the BBC that pupils in England awaiting their A-level and GCSE results can “feel satisfied” that their grades are fair this summer.

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He said there have been three stages of checks to ensure students can feel they have been “fairly treated”, including Ofqual checking the policies that schools have for awarding grades and exam boards looking over them.

Our reporters and photographers will be out at colleges and sixth forms in Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham this morning to speak to teachers and students.

Follow our live updates in our blog below throughout the day!

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Recap updates from A-Level results day in Portsmouth and Hampshire

Key Events

Students collecting grades
A-level grades surge to record high
Record number of students accepted on to degree courses

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 09:52 BST

‘The support at Portsmouth High School has been incredible’

Imogen Cox with her mum Fergie and dad Rex. Picture: Emily Turner

Mum Fergie said: 'We're just thrilled, so proud. She has been here for 15 years - the support that the students have had with the online learning has been incredible.'

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 09:27 BST

Record number of students accepted to university

A record number of students have been accepted on to UK degree courses this year, Ucas figures show.

In total, 435,430 students have had places confirmed on an undergraduate course in the UK, up 5% on the same point last year, according to data published by the university admissions service.

A record 395,770 students have been accepted on their first choice full-time undergraduate course in the UK, up 8% from 365,500 in 2020.

The figures come on the day that students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results, and students across Scotland are receiving their Highers results.

Overall, 388,230 people from across the UK have had places confirmed. This is an 8% increase on results day last year.

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 10:10 BST

‘It’s been a bit weird and difficult with remote learning '

Jonathan Lewis, 18, secured two A* and three A grades in maths, further maths, physics, economics and an extended project qualification.

He said: ‘I’m very happy but was expecting those results. ‘It’s been a bit weird and difficult with remote learning but I just kept working hard and had a separate space in my house to study.’

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 09:30 BST

A-level success at Portsmouth High School after tragedy

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 10:22 BST

Results day was a ‘dream come true’ for Aqsa Pervaiz

Aqsa Pervaiz, 18, bagged three A*s in biology, chemistry and maths and is now off to study medicine at the University of Sussex.

The 18-year-old of Fratton, said: ‘This is a dream come true. I’m just so shocked - especially given the last year, with the pandemic. I’ve worked so hard. I have wanted to go to medical school for years and now it’s really happening.’

Aqsa Pervaiz with her grades at Portsmouth College

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 09:32 BST

‘It’s been really tough with online school'

From left, the Shah family: Mum Viraj, sister Prisha, Aarushi, and dad Kartik at Portsmouth High School.

Aarushi has four As and is off to study physiotherapy at Cardiff.

It is an emotional day for Aarushi, who said: 'I just didn't expect it, but I'm really pleased. It's been really tough with online school, and trying to understand everything has been difficult.'

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 10:01 BST

Happy faces at Portsmouth College - as results are collected

Pictures from Habibur Rahman

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 10:04 BST

‘I’m very happy'

Freya O’Grady, 18, was celebrating after recording two As and two A* in English literature, history, ancient history and extended project qualification.

‘I’m very happy - it’s been a long time building up to that so I’m pleased to get the grades and get into the university I wanted,’ she said.

Chloe Millerchip, 18, who registered grades B, C, C in the same subjects as Freya, said: ‘I was expecting to do a bit better but I’m not unhappy and will now get to do history at Royal Holloway.’

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 10:25 BST

Portsmouth College high-flyer is off to Oxford

It’s off to Oxford for high-flying Portsmouth College student Amy Brazier after she scooped a stunning clutch of exam results, bagging three A*s and an A in her A-levels.

The 18-year-old of Milton is now heading to Somerville College at the University of Oxford to study experimental psychology.

She said: ‘This really hasn’t sunk in yet. I can’t believe it. I’m just so excited - I get to go to the University of Oxford. I really wasn’t sure how things would go. It’s been a mad two years, having to adapt to lockdown. It’s been really hard. I’m just so happy today.’

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021, 10:09 BST

Here’s the traditional results day jump photo

Picture from Portsmouth College taken by Habibur Rahman