Students in Jersey have achieved high grades in their A-levels this year, achieving a higher pass rate than their English counterparts.
The overall pass rate for Jersey’s A-level results is 99.5 per cent, which is above the 98.2 per cent pass rate for England.
Special arrangements were put in place for this year’s results as the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the initial closure of schools and colleges and the formal cancellation of examinations by the UK Government. Under the arrangements, Jersey’s A-level students received calculated grades using a standardised process, which was established by the UK’s Department for Education for schools and colleges following English examination boards.
This year, 449 Jersey pupils were entered for 1169 A-level examinations. As results this year were calculated by a new process rather than grades for actual examinations, the 2020 results are statistically different from results in previous years.
Percentage of results by grade
| | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U |
| Jersey 2020 | 12.5 | 19.8 | 30.3 | 22.5 | 11.5 | 2.9 | 0.5 |
| England 2020 | 8.9 | 18.7 | 26.2 | 24.2 | 14.3 | 5.9 | 1.8 |
This breakdown by grade does not take account of Appeals, so is highly likely to change.
The Assistant Minister for Education, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, said: "I would like to congratulate Jersey’s A-level students for their excellent results, particularly given the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic posed to the academic year.
"The fantastic results that Jersey achieved reflects the high standards within Jersey’s education system as well as the hard work of students and teachers. I wish all students the best in their future endeavours – whether that is further learning, training or entering the work force. I would encourage anyone who is unsure of what to do next to seek advice from their teachers, career advisers or parents."
Students going on to higher education should now contact their universities as soon as possible to confirm their places. Students who did not achieve the grades they were expecting, either higher or lower, should contact the careers teacher at their school or college, or the Skills Jersey Careers Advice and Guidance Team, which is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm on 01534 449440.
Students celebrating their results are reminded to do so safely, and in line with current social distancing rules.
Further information:
Earlier this week, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and the UK Government announced that students who are unhappy with their calculated grade will be able to appeal to use mock grades from earlier in the year, as well as appealing potential errors in grading.
This decision also applies to students in Jersey. Ofqual has not yet confirmed how this will work in practice but when this information becomes available, schools will be informed.
Pupils, like their UK counterparts, will also have an opportunity to sit actual examinations (effectively ‘re-sits’) in the autumn term if their calculated grades or mock grades are not what they had hoped for or expected.
Results Day information:
Every school or college has graded their students for each subject based on non-examination assessment work, classwork, homework and mock exams.
On receiving results from every school and college, the exam boards then standardised the grades using a statistical model which was developed with the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The statistical standardisation takes into account what results the school or college would have likely achieved based on its previous national results in the subject; and the prior attainment of its 2020 cohort of students compared to previous years and the school or college results in recent years.
Grades received this year carry the same value as in other years. Students who are unhappy with their results are urged to first speak to their school or college to understand their options. Students can also choose to sit the exam in the autumn. If a student achieves a different grade from that achieved in the summer, they will be able to use the higher of the two grades for future education and employment purposes.
The majority of students sitting vocational and technical qualifications will also receive a calculated grade. However, in some cases calculated grades are not appropriate, such as when practical skills need to be tested. If the testing body was unable to adapt the assessment to comply with Covid-19 restrictions, students will have to sit the assessment at a later date, to be confirmed by their school or college.
gov.je