THERE were many happy smiling faces at the John Hanson School in Andover as students turned up with their friends and family to collect their GCSE results.

For the first time since 2019, year 11 students returned to the exam hall this summer to sit examinations, following two years where grades were awarded via school/teacher assessment. As such, the grades achieved by students this year cannot and should not be compared with those achieved in the previous two years.

Head boy Jamie Biddlecombe was just one of the students collecting his results, receiving fantastic grades.

He said: “I just think everyone has done amazing and I am so happy with my results and really proud of everyone.

“It has been tough taking GCSE’s through lockdown but all the teachers here have just been so amazing and have really done us all so proud.”

Jamie hopes to explore the idea of a career in sports as he heads to college to start his A-levels.

Andover Advertiser: Students open their results at John Hanson School in Andover Students open their results at John Hanson School in Andover

SEE ALSO: Pupils across North Hampshire receive GCSE results

The feeling was shared by Kitty Wyatt who could not stop smiling after she opened her envelope.

She said: “I’m so relieved and pleased and I would really love to get into medicine in the future and maybe even study abroad.”

Meanwhile, Ruby Sloan said she can’t wait to go out and celebrate after picking up her results.

She said: “lockdown was hard I hated it because it was really hard working at home but I still tried to work hard and I’m so pleased with my results.”

She’s off to Andover College next.

Friends Mason, Fynn, and Louis said they did “exceptionally well” and are all off to take on the challenge of an electrician course at Andover College.

They told the Advertiser that they are glad they all get to stay together and take on the stage of their lives.

Leigh Grimison was one of the first students to open her results, she said it has been particularly hard because most students “did not know” if they would be sitting exams or not due to Covid.

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Headteacher Russell Stevens, added: “I could not be prouder of the class of 2022 as a year group, and as individuals, for the way they have approached their education over the last 5 years; from slightly nervous 11-year olds in September 2017 to confident young adults in 2022.” 

“Following such a period of turbulence it is wonderful to be able to celebrate the achievements of all our students and to shine the light on the dedication, resilience and strength of character shown by them all in achieving their well-deserved outcomes.

“They have shown that despite their educational journey being far from ‘normal’, determination and positivity has allowed them to succeed and achieve the grades they require to move on to the next stage of their educational journey.

“Whatever they decide to do in the future, within education and beyond, I hope they can look back at their time at John Hanson with fond memories and a sense of pride.”