“There’s a lot of happiness here, and a lot of relief,” said Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School headteacher Theodora Nickson today (August 16) as her pupils received their A-level results.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Jordan Scargill (right) telling friends about her results while Sohana Ali congratulates. Picture: Mia JankowiczJordan Scargill (right) telling friends about her results while Sohana Ali congratulates. Picture: Mia Jankowicz (Image: Mia Jankowicz)

Despite many of them already knowing if they had secured a place at university, many Bishop’s Hatfield girls struggled through the pouring rain this morning (August 16) to see their coveted A-level results in black and white.

Mrs Nickson looked on proudly as the girls picked up results.

Eighty-six per cent of all their grades were either on or above the students’ target grades.

Jordan Scargill was over the moon to walk away with three Bs, having expected Ds. “I never really did constantly well in year 12, but in year 13 I said ‘I’ve got to try’.”

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The calm before the storm: Headteacher Theodora Nickson (background) lets in nervous pupils. Picture: Mia JankowiczThe calm before the storm: Headteacher Theodora Nickson (background) lets in nervous pupils. Picture: Mia Jankowicz (Image: Mia Jankowicz)

She said she missed a lot of social events to get on with revision - including a trip to a cat cafe!

“But the sacrifices were all worth it,” said Jordan, who studied government and politics, philosophy and ethics, and sociology. “I was expecting the worst and know I know I have the luxury to look around a bit [at university choices].”

Mrs Nickson agreed, saying that Jordan has “proved the faith that we put in her”.

Anna Mallaborn had not peeked online in advance to see if she had secured her university place, so came in to school “really nervous”.

She said she had been having nightmares about failing all summer - which turned out to be completely inaccurate.

She’s one of the school’s high hitters this year, scooping two As and a B and heading to Sussex University to study psychology. “I’m really happy,” she said.

Other outstanding achievers include:

Daisy Butler: Maths A*, Chemistry A, Product Design B – off to Loughborough University to study Product Design and Technology

Rachael Goss: Geography A, History A, Sociology A – off to Birmingham University to study Geography

Charley Hutton: Sociology A*, Politics A, Geography B – off to Queen Mary, University of London to study Global Health

Fallon Mauger: Psychology A*, Geography A, Sociology B – off to King’s College, University of London to study Psychology

Hannah Smyth: Maths A, Geography A, Economics B - off to York University to study Economics and Finance

Natasha Walton: Maths A, Biology A, Chemistry B - off Southampton University to study Biomedical Sciences

Mrs Nickson said: “In a year when there have been an unprecedented number of unconditional offers to university which could result in students lessening their efforts to get high grades, we are celebrating an excellent set of results with all our Year 13 leavers and wish them the very best of luck for their future aspirations whether they are heading for university, employment or taking a gap year.

“All our girls are to be congratulated on their dedication and commitment to their studies which have produced such brilliant results alongside the relentless support offered by their teachers.”