Brighton Girls head Rosie McColl said that her school was delighted that 27% of all grades were 8s and 9s and nearly 50% of all grades were 7,8 or 9 but what really made her proud was seeing how teens, half of whose secondary school life has been disrupted due to Covid, had developed resilience and adaptability.

She added: “They worked really hard but also achieved so much more – this year’s cohort include  a GB gymnast, county cricketers, exceptional athletes and even a finalist in the Young Carer of the Year competition.”

Among those celebrating at the school were pupils Tamara Donelan-Cano, Elvia Harris, Isla Howorth, Megan Nichols-Judge, Louisa Sollohub and Ava Wojciechowska who all achieved a clean sweep of top grades 7-9. A quarter of the year group achieved at least five  8s and 9s.

The school’s Year 13s also celebrated as nearly half of grades being awarded A*-B, 100% of students passing their A levels and 83% heading off to their first choice of university destination.

Ms McColl added: “I am proud of everything our students have achieved. This was a special cohort who will be remembered for the generous contributions they made, not only to the school community but to the wider community of Brighton and Hove. They have been great role models. Among those receiving results today were Raphaela Deas, who in addition to studying A Levels in Latin, Biology and Chemistry, was awarded the Lord Lingfield Medal of Achievement for her achievements within St John’s Ambulance and who also volunteered during the Covid vaccination programme as a patient carer and advocate. And  then there is Ruby Welch Nichol, who volunteered as a hospital befriender on the Stroke Ward while studying for A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. This sort of resilience and commitment to community during the tough years we have all been through, is what I am very proud of today.”

Brighton Girls students will follow a broad range of pathways as they move on, including Psychology, Law, Furniture and Product Design, Computer Science, Business Management, Paramedic Science and the Ancient World. In addition to gap year plans and art foundation courses, this year’s university destinations include the University of Sussex, University College London, and the University of Brighton.

Rosie McColl, Head of Brighton Girls