Hartlepool Borough Council comment on today’s A Level results

Councillor Leisa Smith, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: "First and foremost we would like to pay tribute to Hartlepool’s students, their families and colleges for all the hard work they have done leading up to this point.

“We fully appreciate what a deeply uncertain and worrying time it has been for them waiting for these results in what are truly unprecedented and bizarre national circumstances, whilst also watching the unfolding of the results situation across the border in Scotland. 

“We are extremely disappointed and frustrated by the grading system which has been applied nationally this year – it must be urgently reviewed.

“The emerging picture across England is mixed, but shows downgrading by at least one grade for a number of students.

“Hartlepool appears to be reflecting this mixed national picture - some students have received the grades they were anticipating but others have been downgraded.

“We are very pleased for those students who have received the results they we hoping for, but we share the bitter disappointment of those students who have not – we have no doubt that they will wish to appeal those outcomes.

“As always, the Council stands four-square behind all Hartlepool’s students and their families and will do everything it can to help them to achieve their study and career goals.”