Sutton Coldfield’s Plantsbrook School took advantage of the sunshine to allow A level students to collect their results outside – and staff predicted a bright future for youngsters who have worked hard through the challenges of the last few months.

Students practised social distancing as they opened their results at the school in Upper Holland Road, with the majority securing the grades they needed for their first-choice university place or apprenticeship.

The school has undergone a multi-million pound rebuild in recent years, and last year Ofsted inspectors described its Sixth Form as ‘outstanding’.

Headteacher Tracy Campbell said: “We are really proud of the class of 2020. They have worked consistently hard over a number of years and have been rewarded with great results.

“They have also shown amazing resilience through the challenges of recent months and this will stand them in good stead in the future.

“It was lovely to see so many of them collecting their results al fresco, earlier today! I would like to pay tribute to their teachers who taught them so well over the years and also spent hours and hours deliberating over the centre assessed grades which were submitted to the exam boards.

“Our exam teams worked tirelessly to make the system work. Parents have also been a great source of support for their sons and daughters.

“The overwhelming majority of our students are going off to their first-choice university or apprenticeship and have very bright futures ahead of them.”