Students collect their A-level results at Andover College

Thousands of students across the UK collected their A-level results on Thursday, August 18 with many securing places at their dream university, while others look forward to a well-earned gap year.

It’s the first time since 2019 that exams have taken place due to the pandemic. In 2020 and in 2021, exams were scrapped, so it was a big day for many students who were sitting exams for the first time in a while.

SEE ALSO: As it hapepned the wait is over - students across North Hampshire receive their A-levels results

The feeling was no different in Andover where youngsters opened their A-level results at Andover College, filled with nerves, excitement, and anticipation as many secured their place at university.

Smiles all round as students collected their results. Credit: Andover College

Others are about to embark on apprentice roles including Louise Roskilly, who is off to work in business administration as an apprentice after a great set of results.

She said: “I am really happy and over the moon and I was nearly in tears when I found out.

“I got the email this morning to say I got in as an apprentice before I opened my results so I knew I had not done too badly.”

Meanwhile, a very relieved Zachary Marshall got two A*’s and secured his place at Oxford Brooked University to study film.

He said it was “hard to study though lockdown” but he is “relieved it’s all over”.

Image credit: Andover College

He added: “I’m excited about leaving home and trying something new and to pursue a career in the film industry.”

Star student Elysia Higgins got an A in Psychology and an A* in her BTEC subjects.

She is taking a gap year before heading off to Exeter University to study psychology.

She said: “I feel really good, it is so exciting. I am so happy this morning as well as being really relieved.”

Credit: Andover College

Others are taking a leap of faith and going straight into employment.

Zoe Perry is taking a slightly different route than others as she hopes to join the police force and make her family proud.

She said: “I am not going to university, I am going to join the police next, my grandad was a police officer.

“I want to join the police to do something good and give something back to the community and follow in his footsteps.”

Friends Lucy Bradley and Bradley Whittam studied politics together and are both off to university.

Lucy is off to study law in Cardiff while Bradley is off to Southampton Solent University to study film and TV.

Lucy said: “I’m so happy, I got even more than I wanted and I can’t wait to go to university.”

There was also a huge sense of achievement at Andover College as students collected their results. 

READ MORE: PAPER PREVIEW: Tragedy as second dog dies after walk at beauty spot

The Andover Campus of Sparsholt College Group again maintained its position as one of the top A-level providers in the region, achieving a 99.7 per cent pass rate overall. 

Subject areas with high levels of students scoring A*-B included chemistry with 71 per cent, film studies with per cent, history with 79 per cent, law 67 per cent, politics 71 per cent and graphics 76.5 per cent.

Ben Stokes, vice principal for curriculum, said: “A huge congratulations to our learners who today collected their A-level results. They have shown remarkable determination and fortitude despite the challenges of the past few years. 

“As we approached exams and external assessments, students were unsurprisingly nervous but by working with their teachers, progress coaches and support staff, they focused and applied themselves brilliantly.

“The results our 2022 leavers have achieved are as impressive as any other results we have obtained in the past because they faced obstacles very few will have to do in the future.”