Students at Teignmouth Community School (TCS) achieved more ‘top grades’ than seen in many years in this year’s A Level and Level 3 BTEC assessments.

A thrilled Lauren Attfield is heading to Bristol to study paramedic science TCS
A thrilled Lauren Attfield is heading to Bristol to study paramedic science after receiving her A Level results from Teignmouth Community School (Jo Bowery / MDA)

The majority of those applying to university secured a place with their first choice with destinations including Cardiff, Bristol and Bath.

Ana Cunliffe achieved an outstanding four A*s in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. She also gained an A* in her extended project qualification (EPQ), which is equivalent to half an A Level.

Other top achievers include: Millie Hedden, who got an A* in Maths and As in English and History as well as an A* in her EPQ; Sadie Davies, who gained two As in English and History, a distinction in Drama and an A*in her EPQ; and Eliza Bryant Rowe, who achieved As in Criminology and History and a double distinctions in in Health and Social Care.

All A stars, As and a distinction for Sadie Davies and Millie Hedden TCS
All A stars, As and a distinction for Sadie Davies and Millie Hedden at Teignmouth Community School (Jo Bowery / MDA)

‘We are so pleased to celebrate such fantastic achievements with the students collecting their results today. They have truly reaped the rewards they deserve,’ said TCS headteacher Rachel Wickham. ‘Nothing could make me happier than the smiles and audible shrieks of delight as those envelopes were opened. It makes all the hard work worthwhile, knowing the part we have played in the lives and futures of these young people.’

TCS students' joy as they open their A-Level results
TCS students' joy as they open their A-Level results (Jo Bowery / MDA)

TCS was also thrilled that the introduction of a new course in E-Sports has resulted in two students, Josh Hucks and Tyler Taylor, gaining places at the College of E-sports in London.

‘The results are seriously impressive across a range of courses and qualifications. We pride ourselves on the breadth of our offer and the quality of our provision,’ said TCS head of sixth form Laura Milsom. ‘The students have achieved more top grades than we have seen in many years, which is no surprise and no more than they deserve. I’m so pleased for them and so proud of them.’

TCS is part of the Ivy Education Trust, which includes Newton Abbot College and Dawlish College.

The students taking A Levels this year were in in their second year of secondary education when the Covid pandemic interrupted their secondary school learning journey. ‘It’s so easy to forget that this cohort were the group sent home due to the pandemic for most of Year 8, receiving little face-to-face teaching for a year and a half and still isolated in ‘bubbles’ throughout Year 10,’ remembers Ivy Education trust chief executive Katy Quinn. ‘The courage and commitment shown by them and the staff, who have taught and guided them with such compassion, has been truly remarkable. We are so proud of each and every one of them,’ she added.

Esmee Gilder McRae has gained a place at Gloucester University to study journalism TCS
Esmee Gilder McRae from Teignmouth Community School has gained a place at Gloucester University to study journalism (Jo Bowery / MDA)

Paul Cornish, Executive Director of Education at Ivy Education Trust, reflected: ‘There is such a great sense of connection and collaboration across our family of schools. Days like today are more than just stats, numbers and grades. They are a celebration and ‘graduation’ of our eldest students from our learning community. We don’t like to say goodbye – so we say ‘go well and see you soon’. We hope our most recent alumni stay in touch and keep us updated with all future endeavours and successes.’