Outstanding success as A-level grades go up

The party was continuing for students in Shropshire today after thousands secured outstanding A-level results.

Headteachers were full of praise for the efforts of students and teachers alike with many reporting an improvement on last year's grades.

Shrewsbury Sixth Form College reported improved results, with more than a quarter of its 642 students gaining A*-A grades and an overall pass rate of 99 per cent. Principal Martin Ward said 78 per cent of students achieved A*-C, which he described as 'testament to the knowledge and expertise of all our staff and the supportive and nurturing relationship they have developed with students'.

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Grove College in Market Drayton achieved a 100 per cent pass rate for the first time. Almost three quarters of students achieved a grade C or above, an 8.5 per cent improvement on last year. Headteacher Jane Radbourne said she was very proud.

Walford and North Shropshire College, which has a campus in Oswestry and one in Baschurch, achieved a pass rate of 99 per cent. Andrew Tyley, principal, said: "Not only have we retained our excellent pass rate this year, but we have also seen more students achieving A and A* grades."

The pass rate at Sir John Talbot's Technology College in Whitchurch was 98.1 per cent, with 62 per cent of pupils achieving A* to C grades.

At Adams College in Wem, the sixth-form centre of Thomas Adams School, students achieved a pass rate of 99 per cent.

Bishop's Castle Community College also reported improved results with a 98 per cent pass rate.

And in Bridgnorth, the Sixth Form Partnership between Oldbury Wells and Bridgnorth Endowed schools achieved a 97 per cent pass rate, with nearly 40 per cent of grades at A*, A and B.

Welshpool High School saw a 100 per cent pass rate for students sitting two or more A-levels.

New College, Telford's biggest A-level college, saw a 97 per cent pass rate among its 1,276 students, and the proportion achieving A*-C grades rose to 66 per cent.

Garry Phillips, college principal, congratulated the students on their achievements.

"Most of our A-level students are now going on to their first choice of university, others on to employment," he said.

"We're pleased that the proportion of New College students achieving the top A and A* grades has increased by two per cent at a time when this is falling nationally."

Down the road at Wellington's Wrekin College, staff were also celebrating success. More than a quarter of all results were A* or A grades, and well over half were A*, A or B. Almost a third of the year group got two, three or four A or A* grades, with pupil Jack Tsai topping the table with four A*s and two As.

Head Richard Pleming said, "These results are the product of sustained hard work by pupils and staff, and I am delighted so many of our Upper Sixth have done so well."

And at William Brookes School in Much Wenlock headteacher Geoff Renwick described the 98 per cent pass rate as 'excellent'. He said: "The figures match the results from 2010 when we were the best achieving state sixth form and second overall in the league tables for all sixth forms in the county.

"We have maintained this record of high quality results that built upon our reputation for delivering excellence although, as expected, not quite achieving the outstanding successes of 2011.

"Nearly 50 per cent of all entries were at grades A*-B and nearly 80 per cent of grades were C and above.

"There have been some outstanding individual performances too with Genny Capper achieving top marks with 2 A*, 1A, 1B and a C."

Robert Hall, headteacher at Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College, said its pass rate had risen to 98 per cent - up six per cent on last year's results.

Mr Hall said: "A pass rate of 98 per cent is a great reward for all the effort that students and their teachers have put into their courses, with almost 30 per cent of results being grades A or B – up 11 per cent on last year. With these improved results we expect most students to be able to progress on to their chosen courses at university."

At Bedstone College in South Shropshire, headmaster David Gajadharsingh said that the results were some of the best in its history.

At Lucton School, near Leominster, 55 per cent of students achieved A* and A grades.

The Earl Mortimer College and Sixth Form Centre in Leominster achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in a number of subjects.

See more coverage in today's Shropshire Star