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A-level results in for Harrogate Grammar, Ashville, Ripon Grammar and Harrogate Ladies College
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Last updated Aug 11, 2021
Ripon Grammar students receiving their results today.

Today is A-level results day for thousands of young people in the Harrogate district.

It is the second year in a row exams have been cancelled. Grades have been based instead on teacher assessments.

Our live blog will record all of today’s results as they come in.

Have you or someone you know received their results today? Let us know how it went. Call us on 01423 276197 or email [email protected] with your grades and how you feel.


10.30am (Weds) – Harrogate Grammar celebrate 67% of grades at A*, A or B

Harrogate Grammar School has congratulated its students for their high results after receiving their A-Level results yesterday.

The school said 67% of A-Level grades at A*, A or B. Furthermore, 87% of A-Level results were A*- C and 99% of grades received were grade E or above. 

For those studying BTECS, there was a 100% pass rate with 70% of grades being a Distinction or Distinction*.

This year’s results are the strongest since 2015. 


15.20 – Headteachers say A-Level results are a ‘true reflection’ of pupil performance during pandemic

Harrogate headteachers have reacted with delight to today’s A-Level results which they say are a “true reflection” of how students have performed during the pandemic.

After last summer’s results were downgraded and then upgraded in a debacle which damaged trust in the education system, today’s grades have been awarded based on teacher assessments and not exams which were cancelled for the second year running due to covid.

The number of students achieving top grades across the UK has soared to record levels which will ultimately put extra pressure on places for the most competitive universities and courses.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, 41.1% of grades awarded were A* or A – up from 35% last year.

Neil Renton, Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School.

Neil Renton, Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Neil Renton, headteacher of Harrogate Grammar School, said: 

“With a sixth form experience disrupted by lockdowns, this remarkable performance demonstrates their exceptional resilience and determination.

“Teachers drew on their expertise and professional experience to objectively assess each student’s level, awarding grades which were moderated and quality assured by exam boards.

“The grades, in our view, are a true reflection of their performance.

“We fully appreciate the exceptional hard work of all our students, the support of their families and the dedication of all our teachers and support staff. This is a cohort of young people who have had an experience like no other.”

Sylvia Brett, principal of Harrogate Ladies College, also said students have had the “most difficult” 18 months of disruptions during the pandemic and that it was “comparing apples and pears” to compare these results with other years.

She said: 

“These grades are very well earned by pupils and they need to have their moment to feel really proud of what they have achieved.

“This year we have had a very comprehensive system for awarding grades… and it has been a true reflection of a very different way of assessing pupils.

“The pandemic has been an incredibly difficult time for young people across the country, but I also think that this generation has been quite extraordinary in the way they have dealt with it.

“Their resilience, their determination and their drive to do their best – this generation are going to be one to be reckoned with in future years.”


15.03 – 64% of Ashville College students receive A* and A grades

Students at Ashville College in Harrogate achieved an overall pass rate of 99.58 per cent, with 64.44 per cent of those receiving a pass at A and A*.

Among the universities which students will be attending are University of Warwick, Durham University and Newcastle University.

Elspeth Fisher, Ashville College’s Acting Head, said:

“This year’s A-Level pupils are to be congratulated for their results and the strength of character they have shown over the last two years.

“This has been an incredibly tough time for them with Covid affecting and restricting their studies and extra-curricular activities. However, their resilience and commitment to their studies has been truly outstanding.

“This set of results are a credit to them, and to their teachers who have been with them every step of the way. Whatever their post-Ashville plans are, be it university, starting an apprenticeship, or a gap year, I’d like to wish each and every one of them every success for the future.”

Sixth Form pupil, Facundo Costa achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics and will be starting his degree in Maths and Physics at the University of Warwick next month.

Facundo said:

“It’s been an intense period, but thanks to the support of the teachers here at Ashville, it’s all been worthwhile.”

Ashville College pupil, Facundo Costa achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics and will be starting his degree in Maths and Physics at the University of Warwick

Ashville College pupil, Facundo Costa achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics and will be starting his degree in Maths and Physics at the University of Warwick


12.15pm – Queen Ethelburga’s students achieve 85% A* and A grades

Students at Queen Ethelburga’s College in Thorpe Underwood have achieved 85% A* and A grades today after results were revealed this morning.

Their peers in the Faculty, which offers A-Levels and BTECs, were also very pleased today after achieving 77% A* and A grades.

The College said its students got into a number of their first choice universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester University.

Acting Principal, Dan Machin, said:

“We are immensely proud of the fantastic achievements from all of our students, and I would like to commend each and every one of them for their resilience, work ethic and determination to succeed.”

Students from Queen Ethelburga’s receiving their results today.


10.20am – Ripon Grammar School students jump for joy after 81% of grades at A*- B

Ripon Grammar School has congratulated its students today after revealing 81% of grades achieved were A* to B grades.

More than 60% of these were the top grades, A* and A. The school also said many of its students had secured a place at their first-choice university.

An impressive 22 students achieved three A*s or more, with the school’s 147 A-level students receiving a total of 133 A*s.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said the class of 2021 had been an incredibly hardworking and motivated year group:

“As always, our students have worked extremely hard and with great resilience and so I hope their grades represent an accurate reflection of abilities and efforts.

“Results are never an end in themselves but merely act as the necessary passport to the next destination in one’s life.

“Congratulations to all who have secured their chosen course at the institution of their choice and we will work closely to support those who may be disappointed to ultimately pass on to the next phase in a path of life-long learning.”

He said after a difficult two years for students, due to the pandemic, “these are an excellent set of results”.

Students will go on to study a range of courses including aeronautical engineering, dentistry and fashion at universities across the country and as far as America.