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Teenagers across the county picked up their GCSE results this morning - and as they did, one grammar school headteacher hit out at the government.
A week after A-level results day was marred by the scandal over downgraded results - the head of Maidstone Grammar School, Mark Tomkins has said he thinks teachers should get an apology.
He spoke as his students picked up predicted marks given to them by their teachers for their GCSE work, as they were unable to take exams this year.
Last Thursday saw a wave of anger from students and teachers alike after grades predicted by teachers in lieu of this summer's exams were downgraded by Ofqual's "standardised" algorithm.
Despite education secretary Gavin Williamson initially defending the system, the government performed a U-turn and as a result, this year's GCSE results are based on teacher-assessed grades.
At Maidstone Grammar School 57% of all grades were graded Level 7-9, with 98% of all grades being graded Level 4-9.
Mr Tomkins said: "Today has gone really well and it allowed us to be clarity from the government about what was going to happen.
"The results today reflect the hard work the students and teacher have put in.
"We in the profession can learn a lot o lesson about what's happened.
"The government have apologised to the students, but we need apologise to the teachers and the profession because they have also worked extremely hard and the need to be recognised for all their hard work."
Across the Maidstone area many pupils returned to schools for the first time since they were closed in March as the UK responded to the coronavirus pandemic .
At Mr Tompkins' school, some 17 students achieved six or more Level 9 grades and five students achieved 10 or more Level 9 grades. See how other students got on in the Maidstone, Malling, Tonbrige and the Weald got on when they pick up their results.
Students at Hillview School in Tonbridge react to their GCSE results
In Medway teenagers have also been collecting GCSE results today.
At King’s Rochester, pupils are celebrating another year of outstanding GCSE results.
Cllr Martin Potter, portfolio holder for education and schools at Medway Council, said: “Hundreds of young people across Medway will receive their GCSE results today and I hope they will be happy with their results.
"We know this year has been especially challenging for children and young people but they have adapted incredibly well."
Elsewhere in Gravesham and Dartford students were overall pleased with their results after the uncertainty of the last few months.
Students from the Dartford Science and Technology College, Tani Awosanya (left) from Greenhithe and Alicia Bamigboye from Swanley, were both pleased with their results.
Tani, who is going to study the IB at Rochester Grammar, said: “I’m very pleased. I got four 6s, three 7s and one 8.
Alicia said she was going to Beths Grammar School in Bexley and hoped to study engineering in the future.
Pupils in Sittingbourne and on Sheppey have also received their long-awaited results today.
Fulston Manor School's Year 11 pupils achieved positive results.
Head of School Susie Burden said: “After the national shambles that surrounded A-levels last week, and that is continuing to cause problems for many students across the country, it was a relief to everyone at Fulston Manor to be receiving GCSE results that are an accurate reflection of the dedication and ability of our students.2
In Broadstairs , staff say pupils at the Charles Dickens School saw a significant progress in their work.
A spokesman for the school said: "We would like to offer our congratulations to Year 11 students receiving their GCSE results today.
"This year saw a significant increase in attainment and progress across the school including the number of grades 8 and 9 awarded."
Warren Smith, headteacher added: “Despite not sitting the final exams, the Centre Assessed Grades awarded are indicative of pupils’ hard work and determination throughout their course of study and they should be congratulated nonetheless.
"This year has been like no other and I have sympathy for the uncertainty that this group of pupils have faced.
"The resilience they have shown in the face of this will serve them well as they move on.”
And in the Canterbury district pupils also got their grades , at Langton Girls Grammar School, twins Emily and Hannah Clarke got the exam same marks, but in different subjects. Each got nine 9s and one 8.
Asked how they have found this unusual academic year, Emily said "It was quite stressful but it's turned out OK."
Hannah added: "We're just looking forward to 6th form now." Both will be staying at Langton Girls next year.
Kent County Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, Richard Long, and corporate director for children, young people and education, Matt Dunkley, made a joint statement about today's results.
It said: “On behalf of everyone at Kent County Council we would like to congratulate all the young people in Kent who are receiving results today.
"When you began studying for these qualifications no one could have predicted the events of the past few months and the impact this would have on your lives and your schooling and it is a credit to your hard work and dedication, and to the support of your families, that you are able to receive your qualifications today.
“We would like to once again thank all school leaders, teachers and support staff who went above and beyond to ensure pupils were able to continue working towards their GCSEs and other qualifications even when schools were closed to the majority of pupils during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic .
“As in any year we know there will be some pupils who did not receive the results they were hoping for and we would encourage these young people, and their parents or carers, to speak to their schools as soon as possible to find out what their options are.
“Finally, we would like to wish all pupils the best of luck with the next step of their education journey and we look forward to welcoming the vast majority of you back into a Kent school in September.”
And Wendy Robinson from Childline has also spoken out about what the year meant for pupil not taking their exams.
