A CARING Evesham student is aiming to follow in the footsteps of her beloved grandfather after winning a place at the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London.
Prince Henry’s High School head girl Alice Nishigaki was among the students affected by the controversial downgrading of A-Level her achievement of three A*s was initially reduced to an A* and two As.
Despite the reassessment, Alice’s place was never under threat but her family were left thrilled on Monday (August 17) when her perfect set of results were restored.
She hopes to emulate the work of her grandfather James Jarvis, a vet who practiced for more than half a century with 40 years work in Evesham itself. Alice hopes to return to the Vale to work when she qualifies in 2025.
GCSE students joined A-Level students across Evesham and Pershore in being given grades estimated by their teachers, rather than by an algorithm, after a humiliating government U-turn.
It follows the uproar after about 40 per cent of A-level results were downgraded by exams regulator Ofqual, which used a formula based on schools’ prior grades.
The Government confirmed the controversial formula would be scrapped ahead of the publication of GCSE results yesterday (Thursday). Teachers’ estimates will be awarded to students now unless the computer algorithm gave a higher grade.
Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor said: “The pandemic has created circumstances no one could have ever imagined or wished for.
“We want to now take steps to remove as much stress and uncertainty for young people as possible – and to free up heads and teachers to work towards the important task of getting all schools open in two weeks.”
Under pressure Education Secretary Gavin Williamson apologised for the distress caused by the furore and said he hoped the move would create certainty for students across England.
County education chiefs said the decision provided clarity and fairness for students and teachers who had been anxiously waiting to hear about exam results.
Coun Marcus Hart, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said: “It provides a much-needed sense of certainty for students during an academic year which has brought challenges like no other.
“This school year has seen lots of changes due to this unprecedented pandemic but one thing that will not change is the support given to our students once they receive their results as they take their next steps on the career ladder.
Pershore’s MP Harriett Baldwin said: “The crucial thing for our young people is this horrible virus does not affect their lives and opportunities more than it has already, and that schools are ready to reopen for the new school year.”
