A LEVEL SUCCESS

Ormiston Rivers Academy celebrates student achievements

Due to the unprecedented circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past eighteen months, the formal examinations due to be sat by Year 12 and 13 students were cancelled.

Every Mid-Essex secondary school adopted a meticulous approach toward the Teacher Assessed grade expectation over a very short period of time in which students undertook assessments in schools to support this process.

Sitting exams is stressful enough for young people, however, losing the chance to prove themselves in the normal format has left many feeling disappointed. Nevertheless, and despite these significant and unique challenges, students and staff at Ormiston Rivers Academy are celebrating today after receiving their A Level results, enabling them to secure places at their chosen universities, on coveted apprenticeships and selected jobs.

Students at Ormiston Rivers Academy’s sixth form, which is sponsored by Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), have achieved some excellent results which reflect the hard work and commitment demonstrated throughout their studies. Students across the school performed well, with some of the individual standout achievements including:

  • Kate Frost who achieved four A*s in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. She also achieved an A in AS Biology, and a Distinction in Engineering Principles. Kate is going to Downing College at Cambridge University to study Engineering. She has had a fantastic set of results including sitting her AS in Mathematics while in Year 11 and her A2 while in Year 12. This is made even more impressive by the fact that she is in the academic year above her age group, so will start University a year early.
  • Oliver Rivers who achieved four A*s in Drama, French, Geography and Maths. Oliver is going to study Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University. This course also has a year abroad.
  • Charlotte Cant who achieved three A*s in English Literature, Extended Project, Sociology
    and an A in Law. Charlotte is off to the University of Southampton to study English. It has
    been amazing to see her grow in confidence in her two years at Rivers’ Sixth Form.
  • Bethany Robertson who achieved One A* in Sociology and three A’s in Core Maths,
    Geography and Physics. Bethany is off to the University of Exeter to study International
    Relations to hopefully one day become an Ambassador.
  • Millie Lumley who achieved an A* in Art and Three A’s in Law, Extended project and Finance
    LIBF. Millie Lumley has accepted an unconditional offer to study Graphic Design at Norwich
    University.
  • Emily Ham who achieved a Distinction* in Performing Arts and two Merits in Child
    Development and Health and Social Care is off to study at Performers Dance College.  Emily has been ORA’s Dance Captain the past two years and has competed internationally over the years.  She is currently teaching ballet locally as well.
  • Tia Evans who achieved two Distinction* in Child Care, Engineering, A distinction in Health and Social Care and a B in Extended Project has received offers from all her universities, including two unconditional offers. She has also applied for apprenticeships and has accepted an apprenticeship in Advanced Civil Engineering, Buildings, and Infrastructure with ARUP in London.
  • Ella Beber, who achieved a Distinction* in Sport an A in Finance LIBF and an A in Psychology, has chosen to study a Degree Apprenticeship in Tax Assistance with RSM in London. She also applied for and received multiple offers for university.
  • Joseph Murray, who achieved an A in Biology, two B’s in Chemistry and Maths, and an A* in Extended Project. Joe has been offered a place at Exeter University to study Bio-Engineering.

Emma Baker, Principal at Ormiston Rivers Academy, said:

This has been a summer like no other for all schools. Our Year 13 A Level Students’ grades reflect outstanding hard work over the last two years, and particular resilience. We are very proud of all the effort that they have put into their studies, and know that these outcomes will help to ensure that they can proceed to their next stage in their futures whether that be University, work or via an Apprenticeship route.

For many, the loss of the exams, which appeared initially to be great news, will leave them feeling uncertain whether to celebrate their results. They should do so, because these results are based on performance in mock exams, classwork, homework and coursework that they have done.

I am hugely proud of what they have achieved during their time at Ormiston Rivers and we look forward to seeing what they can go on to achieve in the coming years. I am also very grateful to all the parents, who have provided outstanding support at all times, but particularly in the last term, and of course to the teachers who have worked with, encouraged and enthused these young people throughout their time at the academy.

This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government decided that young people’s grades would be determined by teachers, based on work students produced throughout their course. These grades were then moderated and assessed by external exam boards which awarded the final grades.