St John Rigby College students and staff are celebrating their amazing achievements on a unique and historic A level results day.  The achievements of the class of 2021 soared to an outstanding overall pass rate of 99.8%. Although pandemic precautions meant that SJR results were provided electronically, all students have been able to access the full range of progression support.  Many students have contacted the College to share their success and give thanks to the teachers and support staff who have worked tirelessly to support them throughout their time at college. 

In each of the last two years, including the year when students last sat external examinations, the percentage of high grades awarded to SJR students exceeded 60%.  This outstanding level of success has continued this year with high grades increasing by approximately 4%.  The Principal, Peter McGhee, has nothing but praise for the attributes and the achievements of the latest group of students to excel at St John Rigby College.  He commented as follows:

“None of us could have predicted or would have chosen the challenges faced by our students these last couple of years.  However, the way that they have approached their learning and the way that they have been supported by our staff is truly remarkable.  The evidence of their collective commitment can be seen from attendance at lessons, which this year has been the highest ever at St John Rigby College.  This was a continuation of online and face-to-face lessons and I want to give particular mention to those of our students who did not previously have home access to online learning.  They had the steepest learning curve and as an inclusive College, this involved a significant minority of our students.  Whilst these students are often understated about their achievements, they should be incredibly proud of what they achieved in the face of such adversity.

In addition to those with no previous online access, we want to recognise the extraordinary efforts of those who have struggled with their mental wellbeing over the last two years.  Those of us fortunate enough to not have had such challenges, cannot begin to comprehend the significance of their personal and academic success during this pandemic.  This will include some of those students who achieved very high GCSE grades at school in 2019.  High academic ability and expectations come with their own unique challenges, especially when the circumstances under which they have achieved outstanding success changes so dramatically and they were forced to find a new way of excelling in their learning.

This is a very special group of young people who have had a unique college experience and have required resilience and strength of character beyond that of any former cohorts in SJR’s history.  We wish them all well and I want to remind them that SJR will always be their College and that we are here to help should any help be needed now or in the future.

We are already planning a celebration in January 2022 so that this wonderful group of young people have their efforts recognised in the way in which they so richly deserve.

I would like to finish by extending my very best wishes to all students finishing their time at school and college, to their families and to their school and college communities as we continue to work together across the region to achieve the very best for the young people that we are here to serve.”