THE sun shone on the A-level students collecting their results at Maldon's Plume Academy this morning (Tuesday, 10 August) after working their way through the difficulties of the pandemic to achieve tremendous success.

Once again, almost all of the Year 13 students secured the grades to progress onto their first choice university or their selected apprenticeships, as well as their provisionally offered employment.

Speaking to Maldon Nub News after opening their envelopes, students spoke both of the extra challenges that Covid-19 had brought and the support provided by Plume Academy staff in keeping them motivated and on track for success.

Head boy Henry Lawes celebrated incredible results, as follows:

Art and Design: Fine Art: A*

English Literature: A*

Extended Project: A

Law: A

Henry, 18, who will study Architecture at either St John's Cambridge or Newcastle University, said: "It's been very challenging but the staff have been there to support us every step of the way.

"They're incredible human beings."

Celebrating with him was Selma Rassase, 18, who has secured her chosen place at Sheffield University to study Sociology and Criminology, having achieved B grades in English Literature, Media Studies and Law. English is Selma's favourite subject and she gave special praise to teacher Lois Russell, who was on hand to congratulate her after opening her results.

Selma said: "I'm so happy. Today is a good day.

"It wasn't easy from our perspective, but the teachers were really helpful."

Nathan Low, 18, secured his first choice offer to study Architecture at the University of Kent with the following grades:

Art and Design: Fine Art: A*

ID3 in IT (Full): Distinction*

Mathematics: A*

Nathan said: "It was tough because of the pandemic, but the staff have always been there to support us and keep us going.

"I think the positive thing is that it has taught me to be more independent."

Executive Principal of Plume Academy, Carl Wakefield, said: ""First of all, it was absolutely fantastic to see so many of our college students this morning and as expected, they conducted themselves in their usual dignified, mature, sensible and articulate manner. However, I was far from surprised as this is how they have been throughout this unprecedented period they have had to live and work through since March 2020.

"The vast majority have automatically secured what they need to progress onto the next stage of their education, employment or training and for this cohort in particular, such an achievement should not go without huge adulation and respect again, for the enormous amount of work they have had to do as well as the extremely stressful period of time they have had to endure.

"I will conclude by saying how immensely proud I am of not only this fantastic cohort of students, but also our tremendous team of staff who have also worked incredibly hard and in collaboration with them throughout their post-16 journey – work that was often done, due to the ever-changing, short-notice expectations from the external examination regulatory authorities, during evenings, weekends and throughout, once again, their Easter and May half term breaks.

"Both sets of stakeholders are a credit to themselves and the academy as are our students' families who throughout the lockdown period have been nothing but relentlessly positive and supportive.

"For this, I wholeheartedly thank them."

Other top performing A-level students at Plume Academy this year include the following:

Phoebe Wiseman:

Art and Design: Fine Art: A*

Physical Education: A*

Psychology: A*

Toby Brown:

Biology: A*

Chemistry: A*

Mathematics: A*

Anneka Gordon:

Mathematics: A*

Further Mathematics: A

Physics: A

D&T: Product Design AS: B

Rebecca Rosenwould:

English Literature: A*

Extended Project: A

Geography: A

Sociology: A

Joshua Lodge:

Physical Education: A*

Business: A

Mathematics: A

Annie Campbell:

English Language: A

Extended Project: A

History: A

Media Studies: A

Caitlin Rice-Lines (Head Girl)

Business: A

French: A

Sociology: A

William Moore:

Comp Science: A*

Mathematics: A*

Physics: B

Kacper Banas:

Law: A*

Physical Education: A*

Geography: B

-Ryan Ball and Harry Brooking both achieved Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC National Diploma in Sport

-Freya Cottiss and Courtney Cross both achieved Distinction* in BTEC National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Dance)