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Students have been celebrating and commiserating their A-level results this morning in a year like no other.
Some schools have opened, others have remained shut amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Dartford Science & Technology College vice principal Debbie Ellis praises her students
On a day where the halls are usually filled with squeals of delight and youngsters hugging each other, this year has been very different.
Here's the schools' results from Gravesend and Dartford as they come in.
Dartford Science & Technology College
It was a successful morning at Dartford Science & Technology College where a small selection of pupils received their results over a staggered session.
Top performer Marnie Coxall, 18, secured A*-B grades in her subjects of criminology, art, maths, and sociology.
She has secured a place at the Open University to study law and is hoping to follow in her uncle's footsteps and become a solicitor.
Marnie said: "I got really nervous yesterday but once they announced the appeals I was not as nervous."
Vice principal and safeguarding lead Debbie Ellis said she and her colleagues were very proud of the students in what is an exceptional year.
"Considering what they have been through, they are so resilient," she said.
"We want to say congratulations to all our post-16 students – they have come out with some fantastic results.
"All the children who have applied to university have got their places and that is down to them and their teachers.
"They have shown great resilience in what they have done, and also their teachers have worked awfully hard to support them getting through to university.
"Other students are taking up posts within jobs and apprenticeships, and we are proud of everyone, well done."
Gravesend Grammar School
Head teacher Malcolm Moaby said: “It’s been a very different year in terms of results. We’ve followed a government algorithm to calculate results as Covid-19 prevented exams being taken.
“About 20% of our students had their grades altered, which is lower than the national average, which is about 38%.
“There was a very small number of people who were upset by the changes, but the majority of people were happy.
“People coming in had to socially distance, which is a big change from last year, and collecting results was spread across the school.
“A lot of students got into their first choice universities, including Oxbridge, and we’ve got several people becoming medics.
“It’s a bit early to tell if we’ve improved on last year, but the initial signs look good.”
In total 32% of grades from the school were A* or an A, which Mr Moaby says the students and his staff can be very proud of.
He added: "Congratulations to all Gravesend Grammar School students who have received their A-level results today in what have been unprecedented circumstances.
"These are the culmination of many years of hard work and are a springboard to the next phase in their lives.
"While exams have not been taken this year, the grades still reflect many years of dedication to their studies. The reward for this achievement is many of our students gaining access to prestigious Universities around the world and high end work placements."
Emmanuel Olodude, 18, said: “I’m so happy with my results, which include an A*. I’m in shock to be honest. I probably don’t look happy, but I am. I hadn’t even checked UCAS this morning to see if I got in, but now I know I have. I’ll be going to the University of Nottingham to study accounting management and finance.”
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls and Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
Pupils at both Wilmington Grammar School for Girls and Wilmington Grammar School for Boys have been reacting to their results from home.
Despite the "eleventh hour announcement" the school's Trust said it had been a successful year with most students achieving the grades they wanted with more than 50% of students securing A*-B grades in the pre-appeal and pre-mock inclusion grade release.
Josh Rydell achieved a clean sweep of A* grades in maths, further maths and computer science and is heading to The University of Warwick to study maths.
He said “After a long, nervous wait, I’m delighted to have received my grades which will allow me to study maths at my university of choice.
"My thanks to all of the teachers and staff at Wilmington Grammar for their amazing support over many years”.
Warwick proved a popular choice for sixth formers this year with Josh set to be joined by Jonathan Bateman who will be reading PPE after achieving A* grades in physics and politics, A grades in economics and history and a B grade in maths.
He said: “The results process hasn’t been how I would have wanted, but I am very happy to be going to Warwick to study a subject I am passionate about."
Both will be joined at Warwick by Sonya Swaley, who will read economics, and Joseph Donkell- Jenner, who will be reading maths, having secured straight A/A* grades in maths, further maths and history.
Elsewhere a creative career beckons for Freya Young, who is heading to the University of Creative Arts to study fashion photography, having secured top grades in PCP, photography and business studies.
Degree level apprenticeships also proved a popular choice for students this year as Lori Squirrel secured a top place with KPMG to become an accountant.
Lori managed to secure A*/ A grades in economics, maths and biology, while juggling the additional demands of being Head Girl at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls.
She said: “I was quite worried, but was pleased to hear that all my hard work had paid off!”
Donna Lodge, chief executive at Endeavour MAT, the Trust responsible for managing the schools, paid tribute to the pupils on their "brilliant results".
"This year, the general anxiety has been heightened by the constant shifting sand on which grades would be based," she said.
"Students and schools had accepted that final grades would be based on a moderated process, following internal ranking and the provision of centre assessed grades.
"The curve balls thrown by Scotland conducting a U turn on this and Gavin Williams’ 11th-hour announcement that students in England would be able to take the higher of their mock exam grade or their moderated grades has done nothing to help matters.
"Despite the controversy over the accuracy of grades, it is important to remember that for these students, the certificates they receive represent the culmination of seven years of secondary education and it is a cause for celebration that they have managed to reach this important milestone that will pave the way for their future choices."
She added: "Congratulations to all of our students who have demonstrated incredible resilience and dedication to their studies to achieve brilliant results.
"We are so proud of the way you have coped with this unprecedented disruption and wish you every success in the future."
Northfleet School for Girls
Head teacher Chris Norwood said: "After such a period of uncertainty, it has been great to see our students celebrating grades they should rightly be very proud of.
"This year group worked hard throughout sixth form, even when we moved to remote learning, and this enabled us to submit very strong Centre Assessed Grades.
"We are therefore pleased that the exam boards agreed with our judgements in the vast majority of cases, resulting in grades that show above-expected progress across the year group.
"All our students should be encouraged that despite not having an opportunity to prove yourself in the exam hall, by engaging so well in your lessons and learning, we have been able to recognise your true potential and hard work.
"For the very few that have been moderated down, we will continue to work with you to ensure that you have grades to be proud of and ensure a successful future.
"We wish all students an exciting next stage in your education journey – we know you will be great."
Saint George’s Church of England School, Gravesend
Head teacher Stephen Carey said: "We are extremely proud of the achievements of all our sixth form students at Saint George’s this summer and the hard work that they put into securing the results that have been awarded.
"Last year the school’s value added score for post 16 was the third highest of all state schools in Kent and the grades attained this year will at least represent the same levels of achievement.
"There are numerous success stories with almost all gaining their first choice of destination for their next steps; whether that be in continued academic studies or as they embark upon future careers.
"Once again the staff at St George’s have provided unwavering support and commitment to ensuring that our students are best placed to achieve of their best and we thank them for this.
"We are, however, most proud of the strength of character, resilience and sense of community that has prevailed among our students and staff in the face of the unprecedented challenges and demands that the current crisis has presented."
