Councillor Simon Hackett, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “This year’s students have had to face some of the toughest challenges due to the pandemic with some not sitting any formal exams until this summer.

“School staff have also faced these challenges head on and I want to thank them for all their hard work and dedication in getting these students ready for their exams and enabling them to achieve these excellent results.

“There are some outstanding results from young people here in Sandwell so congratulations to young people and thank you to families for all their support.

“For young people who didn’t get the results they needed or would like support and advice for next steps, our excellent team at Connexions Sandwell are on-hand to help.”

Connexions Sandwell is offering an exam advice service, weekdays from today (Thursday 18 August) to Friday 2 September, 10am – 4pm on 0121 569 2955.

Here are some of the results from around Sandwell.

Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury is thrilled to report some outstanding achievements by its students in their Post-16 qualifications this summer.

Top achievers include:

• Haiwei He achieved four A*s in Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths and Physics.  Haiwei is going on to the University of Birmingham to study Computer Science.
• Akaash Badhan gained straight A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry.  Akaash is going on to University of Warwick to study Mathematics
• Juwariah Abbas gained three Distinction* in Health and Social Care.  Juwariah is going on to Birmingham City University to study Nursing.
• Chloe Hewitt gained Distinction* in Health and Social Care and A*s in Media Studies and Sociology.  Chloe is currently applying for Higher Level Apprenticeships.
• Rebecca Nightingale gained straight A*s in Chemistry, Computer Science and Maths.  Rebecca will be taking a gap year.
• Laila Tantavy gained straight A*s in Computer Science, Maths and Psychology.  Laila is going on to  University of Birmingham to study Computer Science.
• Liesha Williams gained three Distinction* in Health and Social Care. Liesha is going on to University of Northampton to study Midwifery.
• Rohan Patel achieved an A* in Chemistry, an A in Biology and a Distinction* in ICT.  Rohan is going on to University of Manchester to study Biomedical Science.
• Jack Southall gained A*s in Geography and Psychology and an A in History.  Jack is going on to University of Oxford, St. John’s College to study Experimental Psychology.
• Harry Bird gained four As in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.  Harry is going to Aston University to study Biomedical Science.

Mr James Topham, headteacher at Wood Green Academy, said: “We are immensely proud of all of our students on making it through an incredibly tough two years. Many of whom were unable to sit GCSEs in 2020 and so this summer’s exams were the first external assessments that they took. It’s a tremendous achievement and highlights the resilience and drive of all our students. A huge thank you also goes out to all the staff at Wood Green Academy, parents and friends who all worked hard to support our students with their education.”

Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath is today celebrating a very strong set of A Level results.

All of A level students have achieved three or more A level passes at grades A*-E.

Lisa Mason, Principal at Ormiston Forge Academy, said: “After two years of disruption, these results are the efforts of hours of hard work from students and I’d like to congratulate our students and students up and down the country who are now planning to continue their education or enter the world of work.

“I am also delighted to see that A level students from disadvantaged backgrounds have performed exceptionally well, matching the performance of non-disadvantaged students and removing barriers to the next stage in their lives.”

Students at Phoenix Collegiate in West Bromwich have received a really pleasing set of results.

Mike Smith, Headteacher at Phoenix Collegiate, said: “Despite the impact of Covid, the many lockdowns and enforced absences on so many students, the school has achieved some stunning results.

“There have been so many students achieving an array of A, A* or distinction* across their subject.

“Myself, the staff at Phoenix and governors wish every one of our students the very best of luck as they move on to their next chapter in life.”

Top achievers at Phoenix Collegiate include:

• Sonia Sapkota, Head girl at Phoenix Collegiate will go to Cambridge University to study law with A*,A*,A.
• Amrit Singh to University of Birmingham to study Pharmacy with A*,A,A.
• Gagandeep Kapoor to Warwick University to study Engineering with A,A, Distinction*,
• Supriya Virdi to Aston University to study Psychology with A, Distinction*, Distinction.
• Keranveer Mann will go to University of Birmingham to study Mechanical Engineering with A, A, Distinction.
• Abbie Moore will go to York University to study Environmental, economics and ecology with A*, A, A