The first year group of students to sit A-levels without having sat a full set of GCSEs have every reason to celebrate this morning.
Years of disruption to their education caused by the Coronavirus pandemic have not stopped the Class of 2022, who received their A-level results today, from enjoying huge success.
In Fallowfield, students at Manchester High School for Girls anxiously filed into school this morning to pick up their results' envelops, and the reality of their achievements hit home.
Ann Goddard, the school's Pastoral Deputy Head said: "Grades are one thing, but it is what they reflect that matters and these results demonstrate how resilient our students are. MHSG students have shown their absolute resolve and true grit throughout the Pandemic. This is the first set of public examinations they have done and they have worked incredibly hard. Their achievements are remarkable."
The School has seen a bumper set of results this year, with students off to a wide range of universities from September; to study subjects from Medicine, to Music, to French & Portuguese.
Hawa Dar, a bursary student from Levenshulme who sat on the Head Girl Team, achieve 3 A*'s and is off to study Medicine at Cambridge. She said: "It's been a rollercoaster of events. We went into lockdown, we had to adapt to teaching from home. The teachers were so supportive, and it was difficult for them too; it was a brand new situation for all of us.
"But we were all in the same boat and we all supported each other through it. Manchester High's community is amazing, it's like a little family. I want to say a massive thank you; my friends and family have been amazing. Me going to Cambridge is because of all of them."
For parents accompanying their children to collect results in person, rather than anxiously waiting outside due to covid restrictions, the relief was palpable.
One Manchester High parent, Arpana Hathi, whose daughter Raakhi is off to Hertford College, Oxford after securing 3 A*'s, said: "We're ecstatic. She's done so well. We chose to send out daughter here for the balance the school strikes between firmness and fairness and the well-roundedness they encourage. It's that trust. I know when I send my daughter there everyday that she is safe, getting the best and is getting opportunities."
Mrs Helen Jeys, Head Mistress at Manchester High, said: "We must not underestimate the challenges A-level students have faced across the country with uncertainty characterising their A-level experience. The grades our students have achieved, after these turbulent few years, are even more outstanding as a result indeed, they are the well-deserved consequence of their fantastic work ethic and positive approach to study as well as the care, support and superb teaching of the staff here. I could not be prouder of our Class of 2022."
"Our Senior Sixth students are a talented, conscientious, inspiring and resilient group of young people who will, I am sure, continue to challenge and excel in their chosen fields. We look forward to seeing them continue to flourish as they progress beyond the school gates."
There are a limited number of places in the Sixth Form at Manchester High School for Girls for this September.
Mrs Jeys added: "Every year at Manchester High we speak to driven girls who want to see what our high performing Sixth Form can offer them. We will be available on GCSE results day so that girls can explore their options."
The School's upcoming open events include the Sixth Form Open Evening (Thursday 22nd September, 5pm - 8:30pm), Senior School Open Evening (Thursday 6th October, 6pm - 8:30pm) and Whole School Open Morning (Saturday 12th November, 9:30am - 12:30pm).
For more information or to register for one of the school's open events, visit manchesterhigh.co.uk, call 0161 244 0447 or email mailto:regsitrar@mhsg.manchester.sch.uk.