A time to celebrate

It’s been an amazing year of results in 2021 and I want to dedicate this message to all the borough’s young people, teachers, support staff and parents/carers.

In Sutton, we are so lucky to have great schools and colleges. It’s one of the main reasons our borough is such a great place to live, work and bring up a child. I know that many of our students were delighted with their results this week and I really hope you all did well and got the grades you were expecting.

We had an A Level  pass rate of 63% for A and A* grades alone this year - well above the anticipated national figure of 44.3%. Our A Level students scored an incredible 95% average pass rate for grades A* - C!

And early GCSE scores showed that Sutton students have improved on last year’s impressive results with a provisional 86% pass rate in English and Maths at grade 4 (broadly equivalent to the old C grade) or above. 67% of Sutton students also secured a ‘strong’ pass in both subjects, achieving a grade 5 or above. 

These amazing results tell me something…

• They tell me that you have put in so much hard work, despite an incredibly challenging year. Your determination and perseverance has really paid off.

• They tell me that we all need to thank all our teaching staff  - the teachers, the leaders and the support staff - who have kept you all going. When all of the COVID guidance was changing on a regular basis, they’ve been consistently there for you.

• They tell me that your parents and carers have had to support and guide you, no doubt with a great deal of patience  - to help you deal with all the changes and challenges over the past year. 

Listening to comments from a couple of head students, I was inspired to hear how the pandemic had enabled you to support one another and help out if anyone was struggling with their studies. The support and reassurance you received from teaching staff also clearly helped to pull many of you through. So, as well as a brighter future, I feel that you will also be heading into a more compassionate future.

I would like to wish you all the best of luck in the next chapter of your life, whether that be starting a job, going to university, taking up an apprenticeship or a work-training programme. You are all a huge credit to Sutton. We are so proud of you all.

And after the dark days of the pandemic, you are now working towards a brighter future - so it is time to celebrate! Whatever way you are choosing to celebrate, stay safe - and if you have not already done so get your jab!

Cllr Marian James

For any student who would like to find out more about further education for 16 to 25 year-olds locally, please go to this directory for young persons.