Shropshire A-level results round-up

In schools and college all over Shropshire and Mid Wales students were tearing open the envelopes which would tell them what grades they had got and how it would affect their futures.

Would they get their places at university, would they have to go through clearing? Their fate was all contained in one small packet

Some schools in the region saw 100 per cent pass rates and many students today discovered they had achieved the coveted top A* grade.

Clearing numbers & contacts:

• Harper Adams University (01952) 815000

• Wolverhampton University 0800 953 3222

• University of Chester (01244) 512540

• University of Birmingham (0121) 415 8900

• Aston University (0121) 204 4444

• Birmingham City University (0121) 331 6777

• The Exam Results Helpline (0808) 100 8000

• UCAS website – www.ucas.com

Students and staff at New College in Wellington were all jumping for joy, after 21 subjects achieved 100 per cent pass rates, including subjects such as Further Maths and Biology.

More than 44 per cent of Biology students at the college achieved high grades of A*, A or B.

Typically around half of the college's A2 students are aiming to achieve a place at a Russell Group university.

Among those collecting their results are students who will now be setting off to universities such as Sheffield, Leicester, Liverpool, Durham, Birmingham, Edinburgh,York, Bristol, Aberystwyth, Sheffield and Imperial College London, studying subjects from Medicine, to Biochemistry, Automotive Engineering, Pharmacy, Maths and Accounting and Finance.

One of those collecting his results was 18-year-old Daniel Bahia from Leegomery.

He achieved an A* in Biology, A* in Maths and an A in Chemistry and is now planning to study chemistry at Warwick University.

He said: "I'm very pleased, I was expecting a bit lower because I didn't think my exams had gone so well. Chemistry is my favourite subject, which is why I want to study it. I've not decided what I'd like to do after university."

Overall, more than 570 results were achieved at grade A and A* or equivalent on the college's advanced level qualifications including BTEC, AS and A-level programmes this year.

The college saw an increase of six per cent in passes at As-level and an increase of one per cent passes at A-level.

Fiona O'Brien, acting principal at New College Telford, commented: "We're absolutely delighted and this is something we want to build on going forward. This is a very exciting time for all our advanced level students, who have completed their A-level and technical sixth form programmes with us.

"We are delighted that they have achieved their desired results and we're all here as a team to celebrate their achievements and support them onto the next step in their education and careers."

New College Telford is holding special advice events for any students who haven't yet applied for a course starting this September. The events takes place on August 21 from 8am to 7pm and August 28 from 5pm to 7pm.

Sixth form students at Adam's Grammar School have also returned an impressive set of A-level results. Out of 142 students, 220 A/A* grades were achieved and 79 per cent of results were graded A*- B.

Seven pupils have secured places at elite universities, Oxford and Cambridge and nine have been offered the opportunity to study medicine.

Headmaster, Michael Barratt, said: "These results confirm the excellent partnership between teachers and pupils.

"They are a reflection of the intellectual passion communicated by teachers

and the endeavour and commitment of our students to their academic intentions.

"I congratulate them and thank them all for the part they played to bring about this level of achievement."

Three pupils at the Newport school achieved four A* grades in their exams, including Stefan Molodecki, Mark Richards and Edward White.

Pupils and staff at Thomas Telford School have celebrated a record-breaking year – with the best results the school has had in its 23-year history.

Around 60 per cent of all the grades at the 220-place sixth form college were between A* and B. The school in Old Park, Telford also saw a record number of seven students get places at Oxbridge universities.

Sir Kevin Satchwell, headteacher of the school, said: "We are very pleased. It's nice for us to see we've been able to make a step up.

"Just under 200 students will be going to university, with around 20 going into apprenticeships or school leaver schemes with big corporations. All but six of our students have got into their first or second choice university.

"For us the aim by the end of Thursday was to have everybody in jobs or with a place at university, we want no-one left without a definite future."

Early indicators suggest that a higher proportion of students across Telford have passed their A-levels and other equivalent qualifications than in previous years. There has also been an increase in the proportion of students achieving the higher grades of A* to B – which will open doors into University places.

This year's students at Madeley Academy are the second year group to sit A-levels and are celebrating a significant increase in their pass rates. In the face of a mixed picture nationally, there is also further positive news at Abraham Darby Academy and Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College. Both are reporting that a higher proportion of students have achieved at least two passes at A-level and are looking forward to the prospect of further studies at the university of their choice.

Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "I welcome this year's results and would like to congratulate all the students and staff."

The headmaster of a Shropshire independent school has hailed another strong A-level performance.

Almost 60 per cent of students from Wrekin College in Telford received grades of between A* and B and more than half of pupils received at least one A grade.

The results cement the independent school in the top six per cent of schools nationally for academic value added after GCSEs.

Leading the way are head boy Rhydian Windsor who topped the tables with 3 A* in chemistry, maths and physics and an A in further maths and deputy head of school, Emily Wright with A* grades in biology, chemistry and mathematics, plus an A grade in AS further mathematics.

Dr Haydn Griffiths said almost all of the Upper Sixth pupils have attained their first choice university places.

He said: "These results are the product of sustained hard work by pupils and staff, and I am delighted that our pupils have done well.

"At Wrekin College we have a wide academic embrace and many of our pupils have either met or exceeded their expectations."

Excitement spread across both secondary schools in Bridgnorth as the results were announced.

Bridgnorth Endowed and Oldbury Wells, which make up the Bridgnorth Sixth Form Partnership, saw 97 per cent of students receive a pass rate in their A-levels, with 70 per cent gaining A*-C grades. Sarah Godden, headteacher at Oldbury Wells, said: "We are delighted at the achievements of our students.

"The students and staff have worked very hard and this shows in the fantastic results."

Endowed headteacher Phil Loveday said: "These results open up many exciting opportunities for our students many of whom will go on to University or begin their careers and we will continue to support them."

Students who achieved high grades included Ben Leather, with three A* grades in Chemistry, Maths and Physics, and an A in Further Maths, who will now go on to study Physics at Manchester University. William Brookes School, in Much Wenlock, saw 23 per cent of its students gain A or A* grades. Some 41 per cent obtained A to B grade and overall 96 per cent of exams were passed at A* to E. Top performers included Kiah York with three A* and two As; Sophie Shires, Kate Lefroy and Ed Tyley with three A*; Tim Resch, Alice Cotton and Will Thomas, with one A*and two As; and Elliot Blenkiron with, three As.

Headteacher Geoff Renwick said: "Most students have gained the grades they need to move into the next phase of their lives and we wish them all well on this exciting journey. This has been the reward of two years hard work and I would like to thank staff, students and parents for their role in obtaining these results."

As excited students at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College opened their results envelopes, 20 per cent found they had achieved A*-A grades, 44 per cent gained A*-B grades and there was a pass rate of 97 per cent.

In total 639 students took A-level examinations in 40 different subjects.

Principal Martin Ward, said: "A-level results are so important for students in terms of their progression to university or employment.

"The pass rate is an impressive 97 per cent with significantly high proportions of higher grades with A*-B grades at 44 per cent and A*-C grades over 70 per cent. With the removal of the opportunity to take January modules and the changing national picture for A-level achievement I think the results are good."

Mr Ward added that there were many individual success stories.

"Seven students who were offered places at Oxford or Cambridge this year have achieved the grades required," he said.

"Good grades have been achieved by our international students and Kotiram Manmuang, who is from Thailand and who enrolled onto our year two A-level programme, achieved three A*grades and one B grade in maths and science courses.

"The college has also recently recruited students with more complex learning needs and four such students completed their courses this year and all four students achieved A*-D grades at A level."

He added that all six students who were offered places to study medicine have achieved the required grades.

For the first time, the college entered students for level three BTEC courses in ICT and business. In business 20 students completed the course with 100 per cent pass rate, and 40 per cent with distinction grades, and in ICT 35 students completed the course with 100 per cent pass rate and 65 per cent with distinction.

Chris Fountain, chair of the corporation, said: "I am delighted with the high pass rate at A-level and the successful introduction of BTEC programmes."

Shrewsbury High School recorded an exceptional 61.2 per cent of all A-levels being awarded the top grades of A*and A.

"These results are simply breathtaking by any standard and huge credit must go to our incredible teaching staff and our hardworking girls," said headmaster, Michael Getty.

"These results take our sixth form to a point where A* and A grades at A-level are now actually becoming the norm and are accessible to so many students if you create the right ethos, class sizes and facilities.

"To have accomplished this in the same year as the school was shortlisted in the National Independent School of the Year awards has topped off an amazing year at the High School."

The school's result rise has seen it send record numbers of girls to Oxford and Cambridge this year, with six girls securing places to study courses as diverse as natural sciences, classics and architecture.

Mr Getty added: "Sending six girls to Oxford and Cambridge in one year is an amazing achievement for any school and we have been very flattered by the attention this has received. I think it is the diversity of the girls' career paths which really makes us proud and excited, with this year girls going to study anything from fine art and fashion design to medicine at the most prestigious of universities across the country."

Two sets of twins in the same year group at the high school enjoyed success, succeeding in achieving straight A*/A grades.

The Thomas twins both secured straight A*/As with Sophie now pursuing a gap year prior to applying to study medicine whilst Imogen is set to read psychology at Bristol. The Partridge twins, Zoe and Amy, secured 5A* grades between them out of a possible six, with Zoe to study biology at Bristol University. Amy is taking a gap year while she too considers an application for medicine.

Mr Getty said: "The girls' successes are particularly pleasing because, whilst one set of twins has been with us at the high school for many years, the Partridge sisters only joined us new in the sixth form.

"From our point of view, it is fantastic that we have been able to help both sets of twins to realise their full and very impressive potential with the girls now having very exciting futures ahead of them."

At Shrewsbury School 62 pupils gained an A* or A in all their subjects and 16 students gained at least three A* grades.

In addition, 12 pupils at Shrewsbury School with offers from Oxford or Cambridge Universities achieved the required grades to meet their offers and will be taking up their places later this year.

The School's AS results from the lower sixth pupils were even higher than last year's record-breaking figures, with 73 per cent of grades achieved at A or B grades.

Some 43 students gained A grades in all their subjects and over 80 gained nothing less than a B.

Headteacher, Mark Turner, was thrilled with his students' success.

He said: "In a year when the national picture shows a dip in A-level results, I am particularly proud that our excellent results at Shrewsbury buck that trend. They bear testimony to the hard work of the students and of their teachers, and I offer them all my warmest congratulations."

Concord College achieved a 100 per cent pass rate with a total of 226 A* grades awarded to the group of 149 students.

A total of 95 per cent of all grades awarded were A*, A and B.

And 81 per cent of all grades awarded were A* and A, smashing the national average of 26 per cent.

A total of 43 per cent of all grades awarded were A* compared to the national average of seven per cent. In all, 95 students achieved three A grades or more with 41 students achieving three A*s or more and 16 achieving 4 A*s or more including day student Philip Hawkins. One student achieved 5 A*s.

Principal Neil Hawkins said: "I am delighted that our wonderful leavers of 2014 have achieved at such a stunning level.

"It is remarkable that they have registered our best results ever, even though the number of top grades has been reduced nationally for the third year running.

"The really fantastic thing is that these results represent superb individual achievements by each student.

"Each grade is the result of years of hard work and dedication.

"Our leavers can now move on to the next step in their lives with confidence in their abilities and a greater sense of self-belief.

" I am extremely grateful to the teachers, the pastoral staff, the domestic staff and support staff here at Concord.

"Each member of the staff team plays an important part in creating an atmosphere in which such amazing success can be achieved."

In the north of the county, Sir John Talbot's School in Whitchurch, which was only taken out of special measures earlier this year, recorded 100 per cent of A-level students achieved at least one A*-E A-level grade.

A total of 44 per cent of students achieved on or more A*-B grade, and at least 29 per cent of all A-level grades were at A*-A grade.

David O'Toole, headteacher at Sir John Talbot's School said: "This cohort of students should be justifiably proud of their remarkable achievements."

The top achievers were Sam Cutler who got A*'s, Robert Molyneux who got two A's and a C and Owen Pugh who got two A*s and two As.

Students at Thomas Adams College, in Wem, were celebrating today, as the percentage of students gaining A* and A grades nearly doubled, and 28 subjects have achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

Headteacher, Liz Dakin, said: "We are over the moon. I'd like to congratulate the students and wish them every success as they venture out to apprenticeships or university."

Among the top achievers were twins Alister and Ayrron Dale-Evans. Alister achieved three A* grades and is off to study Chemistry at Oxford, whilst Ayrron achieved three A grades and is going to do Biochemistry at Liverpool.

The Grove School in Market Drayton this year saw 99 per cent of the 35 students at the sixth form pass with grades A*- E, the same as last year.

The high achievers were Madeline Austin who got an A, B and C and is going to study business management at the University of Chester. Heidi Walkden got an A, B and C and is off to Birmingham university, and Jake Harris got two As and a B and is off to study theoretical physics at the University of Sheffield.

Jane Radbourne, headteacher, said: "The majority of the students have got into their first choice universities which is excellent.

Students in and around Oswestry and in Mid Wales were celebrating strong A-level results.

Staff at Welshpool High School congratulated students on their dedication and achievements.

Headteacher, Jim Toal said: "Of all the grades awarded to our students, 82 per cent were at A*-C; 58 per cent at A*-B; and almost a third at the very highest grades of A*-A, which is well above the national average.

There were several outstanding individual performances including Douglas Boyce with a biology A*, and As in chemistry and physics. He will be going on to study biological sciences at Oxford University. Ieaun Davies secured a Distinction* in ICT and A grades in history and Spanish and Thomas Harris got a Distinction* in business, and A grades in physics, Spanish and Welsh second language. He will study computer science at Birmingham University.

At Walford and North Shropshire College they were celebrating a 96 per cent A-level pass rate. The college enjoyed a 100 per cent pass rate in 16 subjects. Jess Butler, from Chirk studied textiles, photography and fine art and got three Bs. She said: "I've worked really hard this year and it's all paid off."

Elani Phillips, from Welshpool and studied English, psychology and photography. She was extremely happy to be going on to study psychology at Bangor University in September.

Amber Edge, from Oswestry, was elated with her an A and two Bs and is hoping to undertake a film production apprenticeship with the BBC.

Jackie Doodson, principal and chief executive at the college said: "We are celebrating some excellent A-level results."

Moreton Hall Girls School at Gledrid near, Oswestry, has maintained outstanding grades.

Principal Jonathon Forster said: "Nearly a quarter of our students achieved straight As and A*s in all their subjects."

Llanfyllin High School headteacher Carl Mincher said students had done well again.

"Our warmest congratulations go out to all our 76 A-level students who have done so well," he said. "A total of 89.5 per cent of entries attained the top A*-C grades or equivalent this year with 71.3 per cent of grades at A*-B and 45% at A*-A."

Staff at Ruabon High School, which has students from the Shropshire/Welsh border, were also very pleased this year's A-level results.

Headteacher, Alun Harding, said: "All at Ysgol Rhiwabon are proud of the achievements of this year's students, the majority of whom have achieved the grades necessary for them to study at their first choice university.

"The Welsh Baccalaureate has continued to be a success."

Llanidloes High School returned strong results with 17 per cent of results being A* - A and 41 per cent being A* - B.

Headteacher Darren Davies said: "We are delighted with this year's excellent set of results."

Sixth former at Adcote School for Girls have once again excelled with their results in A- level, BTEC and EPQ. Overall 64 per cent of all grades awarded at A2 or their equivalent were at the top awards possible, A* or A, with 85 per cent of all grades awarded at A*-C.

Top performers included Maria Gaj, who was awarded an immensely rare and prestigious full scholarship to study molecular biology at Princeton University. Maria achieved an amazing 4As and 1A* grades at A-level.

Gary Wright, headmaster, said: "Once again with these outstanding results we have maintained our position as one of the top performing schools in Shropshire."

For the first time ever, students in The Marches Sixth Form received AS grades, the halfway point in their journey to A-levels and the figures indicated that the final outcome for students next August would be outstanding.

Headteacher Sarah Longville said: "I offer my warmest congratulations to the first ever Marches Sixth Formers as they celebrate their fantastic AS results.

There was another great crop of results from students at Ellesmere College. Their A-level success overall performance saw 97 per cent pass rate. Some 50 per cent of all grades awarded to Ellesmere students were in the top A*-B grades with the girls notching up 60 per cent of grades in the top A*-B.

Notable performers were Emily Palmer, head girl, achieving A* and A grades to read medicine at Birmingham.

Joe Haigh gained the A* and A grades he needed to secure a place at Hull York Medical School and Joe Pescod secured his place to read veterinary medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in London with A* and A grades. Kotryna Calova who got and A* and two As and is off to study graphic design at Nottingham Trent.

Brendan Wignall, headteacher, said: "It is always a pleasure to see our students continue to secure top grades and all who wish to progress to university being able to do so.

"These results are impressive and I congratulate our students on their achievements. All our students completing their studies with us deserve this success. Credit must also go to the excellent work of our teaching staff and of course to parents for their constant support and encouragement."

In the south of the county, Ludlow College was celebrating a 98 per cent pass rate overall, with 100 per cent passes in 19 subjects, including maths, chemistry and physics.

Principal Ian Peake said he was delighted with the academic and personal achievements of the students in what had been a very successful year.

He said: "This has been a good year for A-level results at Ludlow College. We are delighted that many of our students have gained places at top Russell Group universities including Oxford.

"Our overall A-level results are excellent and we anticipate that our success rates will place us amongst the highest percentage of England's sixth form colleges."

High achieving students included Susanna Riley, 18, who is going on to study biomedical sciences at Oxford, and hopes to then go on to do a PhD and conduct research in genetics and neuroscience.

Susanna, from Clee Hill, got an A* in every subject, including maths, biology, chemistry and an extended project on the ethics and effectiveness of "smart drugs", which are supposed to enhance brain power.

The former Lacon Childe School pupil said she was shocked by her results.

"I wasn't expecting that at all," she said, "But I'm glad that all my hard work paid off."

Meanwhile Callum Monteith-Roberts, also 18, said he was pleased to have achieved the two As and a B he was predicted in Geography, Geology and Chemistry and is now going to the University of Birmingham.

"I'm part relieved and part really happy, he said. "It's been brilliant at Ludlow College, I've loved every minute of it."

Mr Peake said: "We are delighted with the continual success of Ludlow students who are leaving as well-rounded individuals possessing not just academic flair but intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn.

"We would like to congratulate them on their hard work and well-deserved grades. We wish them all the best in their future studies and careers."

At private school Bedstone College, near Bucknell, the A-level results were the best in the college's history, with 34.2 percent of all grades at A* or A, and 56.1 percent A*-B.

Headmaster David Gajadharsingh said: "I am absolutely thrilled with the A level results this year. There has been a huge increase in the percentage of A*to B grades – almost twice the level of achievement, compared to the average over the three previous years.

"This has meant that 80 percent of our students have secured places at their first choice university and 100 percent gaining places on courses of their choice.

"This is a wonderful achievement by any measure and especially so given the non-selective and completely inclusive ethos of the college."

He said star performers were Ying Yin Chen who achieved two A* and two A grades, Nic Rawlinson who and A* and two As, and Amy King who got three As.