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The anxious wait is over for thousands of teenagers as A-level results are out.
Youngsters in Sittingbourne and on Sheppey found out their results this morning as they ripped open those all-important envelopes – but this year has been like no other.
This year's results are more about predictions as tests were scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rather than overseeing exams, schools and colleges spent the time predicting the grades they believed their students would have achieved if they'd have been able to sit their A-levels.
Those predictions were then sent to exam boards to be adjusted – or standardised.
Nevertheless, the results will still have a big impact on what young people do next, with going to university among the options.
At Fulston Manor School, 119 students out of 137 were awarded grades from A* to C in 30 subjects.
Among the high achievers were Katherine Halsall who got three As and a Distinction in English literature, geography, history and performing arts.
Charlie Brissenden got two As and one B in maths, financial studies and psychology, while Lydia Harris-Worthington achieved an A, B and Distinction in financial studies, psychology and health and social care.
However, executive head teacher Alan Brookes said the method of deciding 2020 grades had failed in more ways than one.
"It is obvious the system put into place has not led to fair outcomes for many students and has failed to prioritise young people over a desire to achieve some sort of national statistical model," he said.
"In particular, the process fails to recognise adequately those students whose hard work has allowed them to make significant progress over the past two years.
"The last gasp suggestion that mock grades could be used instead is unlikely to provide any meaningful assistance for students and I am disappointed that the government has not followed the lead from Scotland in using Centre Assessment Grades as the final outcome."
At Westlands School 42 students studied A-levels and 76% achieved A* to C grades.
Meanwhile, 62% achieved an between A* to C, or equivalent, for all qualifications, including BTECs.
Head of school Christina Honess said she was delighted with the performance of all the students.
"Despite the challenging and difficult situation all schools in England have found themselves in, I'm really pleased to see our students' results were even better than last year's successful performance," she added.
"We are also very proud that the vast majority of our students received the grades their teachers submitted to exam boards, and that very few of these grades were moved up or down by the regulator.
"All the teachers at Westlands were thrilled to see so many students achieving top marks in academic and technical qualifications.
"17% of our students achieved an A*-B in their maths A-levels, 100% achieved A-C in A-level English literature and 67% achieved either a Distinction or Distinction* in applied science.
"Our new CACHE course was also spectacularly successful with 100% of pupils achieving an A*-B and the average grade being an A*.
"I would like to personally congratulate all our dedicated and hard-working students on their excellent results. We all wish them well for the future whether that be at university or in the world of work."
It was also revealed 5% of the grades at the school were at A*.
Borden Grammar School's Year 13 students achieved very positive results.
A number of them achieved at least three grades at A*-B.
These included: Lewis Ball, Harry Batters, Kyle Binder, William Boag, Leroy Boateng, Rowan Boddy, James Day, Luke Franks, Kieran Hurwood, Harry Kiddle, Jordan King, Othniel Michael, Jason Penberton-Mola, Qais Puri, Ben Rickard-Stevenson, Layiwola Usman, Tom Wells, Thomas Wells and Nathan Wrigglesworth.
The very top achievers were school captain Luke Franks (three A*s and an A), Kieran Hurwood (one A* and three As), Qais Puri (one A*, two As and one B), Ben Rickard-Stevenson (one A*, two As and one C), Jordan King (three As) Leroy Boateng (three AAAs and one C) and Harry Batters (two A*s and two Bs).
Chris Brinn, head of sixth form, said many of these students will head to Russell Group universities, as well as a number of other higher education institutions across the country, whilst others have secured training placements at a number of banks and blue-chip companies.
He added: "All students have worked hard for their results and are to be congratulated on all they have achieved and also for all that they have contributed to the life of the school.
"They have provided excellent leadership amongst the student body, and have bright futures ahead of them."
At Highsted Grammar School, 73% of grades were A*-B.
Olivia Auston, Orion Corder, Libby Francis, Elena Jury, Rebecca Scholefield, Lauren Scott, Ibukunoluwa Shangobiyi, Tierney Sharp, Ella Thorpe and Bethany Tremain all achieved five grade A*/A.
Frances Tiernan-Powell, assistant head teacher, said: "Students have strived to achieve the very top grades across a range of facilitating subjects, with nearly half of the cohort grades awarded as A*-A.
"Teachers have consistently identified the year group as exceptionally hard-working and determined to surpass all expectations and the students, through long-term diligence, have not failed to meet this expectation, with 20% of grades awarded an A*."
She added: "As a year group, the students have focussed on encouraging their peers and school to be ‘a force for change’ in their school and their community through identifying causes and educating others on the need to channel their energies to overcome negative attitudes that threaten their altruistic outlook.
"Through their performance at A-level, the students have once again challenged the negativity of our times.
"The school is grateful to our teachers and parents who have supported the students in their journey to success, and proud of the outstanding women the students have become."
Seventy-four youngsters at The Sittingbourne School gained final outcomes to their studies in A-levels and Level 3 qualifications, and 70% gained A*-C grades.
Among the top performers was Josh Clare, who achieved A*s in history and an EPQ, and As in English literature and media. Josh, who will now move to Oxford University to read English literature and language, is the first student from The Sittingbourne School to gain an Oxbridge place.
Head teacher Yvette Peden said: "There are some absolutely stellar performances amongst our sixth form students this year and we are exceptionally proud of them all.
"This has been a year of extreme challenges and our students have approached the ever-changing situation with resilience and maturity."
Jackie Noble, principal of sixth form, added: "Our sixth form students have worked incredibly hard for these outcomes and we are delighted that, despite the current situation, they are moving forward with their lives into exciting new careers and degree studies. What more could we ask for in such times."
A number of youngsters at Sheppey's Oasis Academy have been offered places at universities.
George Denver, who achieved three As in English literature, psychology and art, will be heading to the University of Lincoln to study physical geography.
The 18-year-old said he was happy with his results.
He added: "I was predicted high grades but the recent media headlines made me doubt myself and I got a little worried. I am now so relieved."
When asked if coronavirus had affected his plans, George added: "The expectations on student life will be different, however we will get through it, we will need to adapt. The pandemic will not stop me going to uni."
Klaudia Machala got a Distinction* in applied law and a B in both English literature and psychology. She has been accepted at Goldsmiths College, University of London to study media and communications, but is now considering studying international business at Kingston University.
Meanwhile, Jodie Roke got a triple Distinction* in creative performance. She will be heading to Buckingham New University to study dance and is the first in her family to go to university.
Derrick Du’Chesne also got a triple Distinction* in creative performance and is off to study drama at the University of Winchester.
