Aug 16 - Gibraltar’s Students Achieve 94% A-Level Pass Rate
Students received their A-Level results today at the Gibraltar College, Westside and Bayside Schools. As usual, results were issued as from 8 am (in UK they are released at 9am UK time) to give students every opportunity to secure their university place.
The overall pass rate was 94%, an increase on last year’s pass rate of 92%.
There were nine Gibraltar Scholars, who have attained three A's or above.
It should be remembered that today’s results remain provisional pending some re-marks which may well end up in increases for individual subjects.
The Department of Education, as well as teachers in schools, said they are on hand to advise, support and provide guidance and assistance to all students, both those who have secured a place at University and those who may need to continue to seek one through the clearing process or who will now be looking at other options.
Minister for Education, John Cortes, congratulated both students and teachers on their hard work and efforts.
The Director of Education (Designate), Jacqueline Mason commented, “I would like to congratulate all students on their success in achieving whatever goals they have set for themselves. We are all celebrating the culmination of educational journeys, alongside the dedicated staff who have supported these students throughout.”
The Minister said: “Once again students and teachers - and the whole Education support network- have done us proud and have risen above the challenges of these exams. We will be there to encourage those who will continue their educational journey and to support this who want to want now to look at other options. Regardless, they all have a bright future ahead.”
Here’s a breakdown of results:
Speaking after the results, Minister Cortes said: “We’re very happy for not just those who have done particularly well, but for those who have achieved the standards the wanted to achieve, and which may not necessarily be an A*. This is the beginning of the rest of their lives regardless of their results.”
Bayside Headteacher Michael Tavares said: “We’re very proud of the achievements of our students, and when I say achievements, I don’t think we should just refer to those who have achieved the top grades, the Gibraltar scholars - there are many success stories lower down the scale where students might’ve managed to get D’s, allowing them to go to university and start on the next stage of their education, which I think also has to be celebrated.”
We also caught up with some Gibraltar Scholars and asked them about their reaction and future plans…
BAYSIDE
Adriana Amor said: “I’m excited and a little bit nervous! I’ll be studying Sociology and Media at Keele University.
David Garcia said: “I’m rather shocked but very happy with my grades. I’m going to be reading Law at York.”
James Mir said: “I’m trying to think of an adjective a scholar would say but I cant think of one… elated, let’s stay with that. I’ll also be studying Biological Sciences at Bath.”
Tommy Bell-Jones said: “I feel great, I’ve got the grades to get into my university and once you open the paper and see it, nothing really matters for the next ten minutes when you’re on a high. I’ll be studying animation at Nottingham Trent University.
Henry Archer said: “I’m feeling great, honestly, it’s was a really big surprise this morning and I’m really overwhelmed and had to go and collect myself a little bit. I’ll be studying Chemistry and Psychics at St Andrews.”
WESTSIDE:
Sarry Baglietto said: “I studied Psychology, Sociology, Religion and Geography. I got three A’s and a B for religion. I’ll be going to Loughborough University to study Psychology.”
Sanya Chhugani said: “I studied Maths, Psychics and Chemistry and I got three A’s. I’ll be going to Loughborough University to study Engineering. I’m really looking forward to it, I think it’s the whole student experience, living independently and obviously getting to study my degree.”
Anna Buhler said: “I got an A for Spanish, A for English Lit and an A for History. I’ll be going off to study Law in Liverpool.”
Nuhaila Mkerref said: “I did Sociology, History and Economics and I got A* A and A and I’m going to study History at Cambridge. I’m so looking forward to it…it’s not really sunk in yet.”
Gibraltar College Principal Leon Abecasis said:
“We’re very happy with the results, the students have done exceptionally well. All the students I’ve seen this morning are very happy they got the results they need and in some cases better than what their needed to get into university this September. The percentage passes compared to last year are as good to better. We have a lot of new courses which are being assessed for the first time like business and IT - IT had a 100% pass rate. The students have done so well and we’re very happy.”
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