We want to express all our congratulations to all Merton students who received their A level results today. These students have had no prior experience of public examinations because there were no GCSE exams when they were in Y11 in 2021 during the pandemic. Their only experience of statutory testing would have been when they were in Y6 of their primary schools.

Students receiving their results today have shown incredible resilience, throughout the academic disruption and emotional consequences of the pandemic, and should be proud of their achievements Ofqual announced today that there has been a return, for the first time this year, to pre-pandemic grading and that it is therefore more meaningful to compare this year’s results with those of 2019, the last summer exam series before the pandemic.

Early figures show that 78% of A level pupils in Merton schools secured A*-C grades in 2023 which is above the provisional national average (76%) and higher than Merton’s 2019 average. In three of our secondary schools (St Mark’s Academy, Raynes Park and Wimbledon College) there has been a significant improvement in 2023 A*-C compared with their 2019 outcomes. 22% of students in Merton schools received the top grades of A/A and 51% at A-B. These are similar outcomes to the comparable year of 2019.

• At St Mark’s Academy, there was a 35% increase in the percentage of pupils achieving A*-B compared with 2019
• At Raynes Park High School, the proportion of pupils achieving A*-C grades at A level increased by 15% this year, when compared to 2019.
• At Wimbledon College, the proportion of pupils achieving A*-B grades at A level increased by 10% this year, when compared to 2019.
• At Ricards Lodge, Y13 students have attained more individual A*-A grades than the last full exam cohort and Level 3 BTEC results continue to be exceptional with 54 % of all grades being Distinction/Distinction (A*/A grade equivalent), maintaining an outstanding record as a centre for these courses.
• At Rutlish, there were improved outcomes in the Tech level performance
• And at Ursuline, there was a 100% T level pass rate and all those students have progressed to higher education, employment or training.

Councillor Sally Kenny, Cabinet member for Education and Lifelong Learning, visited St Marks to congratulate students on their achievements.

“I would like to congratulate all of the cohort who took A Levels this year,” she said.

“They had their studies interrupted during the pandemic and we are so proud of their achievements. The support of their families has been key to their results.

“I’d also like to thank all the teachers who have helped them through their studies.”