Open Letter to the Class of 2020

Dear Class of 2020, 

 

I am writing to you all in our Class of 2020 to say a huge well done!  In March of this year, the world as we know it changed dramatically. Within a matter of days, the college transformed from a vibrant campus community to one delivered entirely virtually. This swift transition couldn’t have happened successfully without the commitment and innovation of staff as well as your willingness to embrace change.

At a time when many throughout the world struggled, you persevered. Your engagement and attendance at online lessons and completion of work was astounding. During Lockdown you demonstrated to each and every one of us how fortunate we are to teach students who personify the values we aspire to – supportiveness, excellence and hard work. Your results stand up against the very best we have had, including a 100% A Level Pass Rate with two thirds of students in various subject achieving high grades of A*-B. Many of our Construction students have been employed by major companies within the local area. Our BTEC students have progressed onto different pathways, including university and various apprenticeship programmes, which include placements in Software Development, The NHS and childcare. Hairdressing students have achieved incredible grades and are now progressing into the industry and our GCSE Results have been record breaking. These are just a few of your achievements this year.

Many of you will be off to university studying at places like Nottingham, Southampton, Winchester and Bristol on courses such as Aerospace Engineering, Fashion Promotion, Football Business & Media, Musical Theatre, Geology and Biology. Whatever route you have taken, we are sure you will flourish.

Whether you have completed a BTEC qualification, GCSE courses, A-levels or a technical qualification, the results you have achieved over the last few weeks have been exceptional. The disruption caused by the changes to grades and the impact that this has had is a situation that you should not have had to experience but, as things begin to settle you are now able to turn your attention to your future. There has always been a concern about the impact that shutting schools and colleges would have on your year. Given the way in which you have approached the last five months, we doubt very much whether you will let this detract from achieving your career and life goals. You will undoubtedly tackle life head on and succeed.

 

We wish you all the best. It has been our privilege to be a part of your lives and education. 

 

Ben Stokes

Vice Principal, Andover College (Curriculum)