Nova Education Trust, which runs schools including Newark Academy; Meden College, Warsop; and Garibaldi School, Forest Town, paid tribute to its post-16 students on their exam achievements on A-Level results day.

After 18 months of lockdowns, remote learning and home isolations, the post-16 class of 2021 received the results of their efforts.

Ashfaq Rahman, CEO of Nova Education Trust, said: “Today’s results reflect an extraordinary effort from the students and the staff that have supported them. Despite two years of disrupted learning, our young people have shown immense resilience and tenacity and our staff have been outstanding in how they have navigated students and parents throughout the Teacher-Assessed Grades process. I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to all staff, parents and governors for their work and support, and congratulations to all our students – my very best wishes to them for the future.”

Andy Seymour, executive head teacher and trust lead for Teacher-Assessed Grades, added: “In a year of significant turmoil and relentless challenge, everyone at Nova has worked tirelessly to ensure our students secured the achievements and accolades that their unwavering hard work and commitment deserves.

“It’s been truly wonderful to see students collect the grades that allow them to progress to the next phase of their educational journeys and these grades are testament to their hard work, determination and dedication to
succeed despite the challenges that they have faced through the past 18 months. I also want to pay special tribute to our school and college leaders, who have led the Teacher Assessed Grade progress with great integrity and professionalism, and of course our teachers, who quite simply have been exceptional and continue to epitomise our Nova values which place students and young people at the very heart of everything we do.”

At Meden College, staff paid tribute to ‘one their most exceptional cohorts ever’. Louisa Brett, deputy head of school, said: “Our students have been inspiring with their incredible levels of self-motivation and
determination and, as a result, they have achieved outstanding grades, despite the challenging circumstances. There are not enough superlatives to describe how proud the staff are of these wonderful young people – these students are a credit to themselves and their families and we shall miss them enormously, but we look forward to hearing about their continuing successes and wish them all the luck in the world in their futures.”

Newark Academy Sixth Form saw many individual success stories, such Lucy Broomfield, who will now go on to successfully read Veterinary Science at a prestigious Russell Group University.

Abby Brown will go on to read International Development at the University of Leeds, and Sophie Rouse also secured her place at the University of Bath to read Management with Marketing.

Kai Oxley will read Biology at Newcastle University and Callum Ellwood will read Technical Theatre and Stage Management at the University of Lincoln.

Jeannie Hamilton-Smith, head of Sixth Form, said: “Following an extremely turbulent period of time, we are delighted to see 100% of our Newark Academy Sixth Form cohort secure the grades they need to enable them to progress to their post-18 destination of choice. We wish to pay tribute to all of our students as they have been exceptional throughout the last two years and we would like to thank both them, and their parents and carers, for their dedication and diligence. To achieve the results that we have seen today demonstrates that our students are truly superb and they will certainly be a credit to their chosen institution or employer.”

The Garibaldi School also paid tribute to students’ commitment to their studies despite the pandemic.

James Aldred, head of school, said: “Despite the potential adversity posed to learners this year, our students have shown great resilience, determination and commitment to their studies. Students have worked tirelessly in lessons and with their teachers throughout the pandemic, both via our online provision and in class, and have risen to the challenge by demonstrating outstanding attitudes to learning.

“I am really proud of how students have not sought excuses or downed tools, but have been motivated to demonstrate their capabilities and earn the grades they have achieved. I wish all our students the very best in the next part of their journeys.”

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