A-levels: Shropshire students receive results
A-level students across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are today receiving their examination results.
Teenagers who sat subjects at further education centres and schools are set to find out where they will take up university places.
Telford College said it was celebrating its best ever set of A-level results, with 100 per cent success rates across a host of subject areas including further maths, English language, literature, geography, economics, fine art, photography, biology and sociology.
The college’s overall pass rate is up by six per cent on last year, and overall achievement rates were ahead of national average figures.
More coverage:
It said overall achievement rates across the entire college was up by eight per cent.
Telford College principal and chief executive Graham Guest said: “These are fantastic results, which reflect the well-established academic provision we have built at the college.
“Education has to adapt to young people’s modern-day lifestyles, and that is exactly what we are doing with our 7th Form. We are delighted to see that this year’s A level results reflect the positive changes we have made.
“It is particularly pleasing to see we have recorded our best results for maths A-levels in years, against a national climate where achievement rates have fallen dramatically.”
Rebecca McGowan, 18, from Admaston, who has studied A-level biology, chemistry and English, and hopes to go to Liverpool University to study anatomy and human biology
Sophie Duigenan, 18, also from Admaston, who has studied economics, maths and further maths, and is hoping to read maths at the University of Birmingham.
Newport Girls' High School (NGHS) has reported 'fantastic' results, which saw students achieve nine per cent more A* to B grades than last year.
In English, further maths, religious studies, German, French and art, 100 per cent of students achieved grades at A* to C.
The Extended Project Qualification, taken as an enrichment course by 71 students, saw more than 40 per cent of students achieving A* grades.
The school's students achieved a total of 53 A* grades, which is a new record.
Almost 80 per cent of students are now heading to their first choice university, with four set to attend Oxbridge universities.
Newport Girls' headteacher, Michael Scott, said the school is 'proud' of their students 'and what they have achieved'.
“This cohort also contained a large number of students who joined NGHS in our Sixth Form and they have made positive progress when their GCSE scores are taken into account.
"Their successes have only been possible through the dedication, determination and hard work of our students, the close relationships with parents and encouragement of our professional staff.
"We wish all our students every possible success as they embark on the next stage of their lives and we look forward to hearing of their many future successes and hope that they keep in touch with us.”
Thomas Adams Sixth Form in Wem described their results as 'excellent', with a 100 per cent pass rate across 20 subjects.
Their students attained more than 135 A* to B grades.
Headteacher Mark Cooper said: “We are absolutely thrilled, as these achievements are the result of a lot of hard work by both students and staff over the last year.
"I would like to congratulate the students and wish them every success as they move on to follow their ambitions.
"Many are embarking upon courses in neuroscience, law, English literature and mathematics, at Russell Group universities such as Exeter, Warwick and University College London. Others are off to begin competitive apprenticeships.
"There is such a wide variety, and there are many wonderful individual achievements at every level, which is important as we are an inclusive college.”
Ludlow College, meanwhile, has announced a 98.5 per cent pass rate in all subjects.
Carl Morris, head of Ludlow College, said: “We are thrilled that our students are celebrating such outstanding successes in their A-level results this year.
"When our pass rate is combined with our outstanding retention rate, this is likely to place us in the top ten of colleges nationally for achievement at A-level.
"This continues to reflect the exceptional work of both our students and staff. We have had a lot to celebrate over the past year with over 40 per cent of students succeeding in gaining places at elite Russell Group universities.
"I am looking forward to seeing how this year’s students progress in their chosen futures.”
Shrewsbury High School is celebrating its best A-level results in five years, with just under half of all results graded A* or A and three-quarters of all grades being A* to B.
One quarter of the year group achieved a clean sweep of A* to A grades, with three girls gaining straight A*s in all subjects - these were May Davis in chemistry, maths, further maths and physics; Anna Jones in biology, chemistry, maths and further maths; and Abbie Spalding in economics, English literature and history.
Headteacher Jo Sharrock said she and her staff were 'delighted'.
"We are excited by the girls’ ambition and the diversity of their undergraduate choices at world class universities," she said.
"Three girls are heading to Oxbridge to study Chemistry, Engineering and Geography. Three girls have secured places to study medicine and one girl to study dentistry."
Rachel Sadd, head of sixth form, added: "I couldn’t be prouder of the girls today."
Students at Concord College in Acton Burnell near Shrewsbury were today celebrating after the college achieved its 'best ever A-level results'.
They achieved a record 97 per cent of A* to B grades and 100 per cent A* to C grades the first time ever.
A total of 120 out of 170 students gained three or more A grades.
Principal Neil Hawkins said: “It is hard to find the words to describe the magnificent academic achievements of Concord’s leavers of 2019.
“In a year when all the talk has been that A-levels are becoming harder, for 84 per cent of all grades achieved at Concord to be A* or A grade is quite phenomenal.
“I am delighted that 97 per cent of grades were B grade and above and humbled that no student achieved less than a C grade in any subject.
See also:
“Concordians are not geniuses: students’ hard work, talent and determination have been rewarded. Congratulations to them all.”
Adcote School for Girls at Little Ness, Shrewsbury, has seen 100 per cent of students achieve passes.
All candidates in art, chemistry and economics passed with grades A* to B and 100 per of students taking business, maths and physics achieved grades A* to C.
Outstanding individual performances included Cherrie Qin, who achieved A*AAA and will now study Biological Sciences at Imperial College London, and Aishling Ojiako, who attained three A grades and will go to University College London to study Chemical Engineering.
Headmistress Diane Browne said: “We are simply thrilled with these results. In a non-selective school, the amount of value added to girls’ projected grades is the measure of our success and we are very excited to see that this year we have seen a significant increase in this performance.
“The results are a credit to the girls who worked so hard, with our committed and hard working staff, to achieve their best standards.”
Shrewsbury School described their A-levels results as 'enormously successful', with their students 'now poised to take up a raft of prestigious university places'.
Three quarters of their papers were graded at A* to B.
Nine of their pupils achieved all A* grades and a total of 37 pupils obtained all A or A* grades.
"High attainment was demonstrated across the whole breadth of Shrewsbury’s diverse Sixth Form curriculum, with notable successes in the creative world of Theatre Studies and the technical and complex subject of Economics - in both of which over half the cohort was awarded either an A or an A*," said the school.
"The English Faculty celebrates ongoing success with over 90 per cent of candidates awarded one of the top three grades for the third consecutive year.
"And Salopians studying Biology have done the school’s most famous alumnus, Charles Darwin, proud with 26 achieving a distinction in the challenging and demanding Cambridge Pre-U qualification."
Haberdasher's Adams Grammar School in Newport had a 99.8 per cent pass rate across their A-levels, with 75 per cent of results grades A* to B.
Headmaster Gary Hickey said: “We have seen some fantastic results once again - 45 pupils have achieved an A* or A grade in every subject, 13 pupils have successfully managed a clean sweep of A* grades in all three of their A-levels and two have achieved four straight A* grades; a wonderful achievement.
"In fact, this year’s A-level cohort has achieved an incredible 232 A*/A grades in total.
“Huge congratulations to our eight Oxbridge applicants with offers for 2019 entry who have achieved the grades they needed and to the ten students wishing to study medicine and veterinary studies who have also been successful in securing the necessary grades.
“Today’s results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the pupils and their teachers and I am incredibly proud of everyone. It has been a real privilege to see their hard work come to fruition and I wish all of our pupils the very best for the future.”
Wrekin College headteacher Tim Firth said he was delighted with their results, with more students achieving A* to A and A* to B grades than last year.
Forty per cent of their students are now heading to one of the top 20 universities in the country, they said.
“It’s so good to see all the hard work pay off for our A-level students this year. Not only for those who have achieved the top A* grades, but also for those who have worked extremely hard over the last two years and have out performed their predicted results," Mr Firth said.
“We wish all our students the best of luck with whatever they choose to do, whether that is going to university or choosing another path."
Sir John Talbot's School in Whitchurch today described their students' results as 'exceptional', with a 100 per cent pass rate across the 20 subjects taken.
Head of sixth form at the school, Michelle Jones, said the results were 'a testament' to the hard work of students and staff.
"I wish them all a happy and successful future as they begin their next exciting chapter," she said.
Headteacher David O'Toole added: "I want to pass on my congratulations to all the students and staff.
"The determination to succeed has paid off and now allows the students to take on their next exciting challenge.
The Marches School in Oswestry is also celebrating, with 16 per cent of students attaining three A to A* grades and 50 per cent achieving A* to B.
Claire Boyes, head of sixth form, said: “I am so proud of all the students have achieved. I know they now have access to bright, successful futures and a wealth of exciting opportunities to look forward to."
Headteacher at the school, Alison Pearson, added: “The results are testament to the support from our specialist staff and the determination from our students.
"We wish all of our students every future success and am pleased that we have been able to support them on that journey."
Market Drayton's The Grove School has described their results as 'fantastic', with a 100 per cent pass rate across all 16 subjects.
Headteacher Sonia Taylor said she was 'extremely proud' of the students' achievements.
"The Grove sixth form has a great team of specialist staff to support students through their studies," she said.
"I wish every student a happy and successful future”.
Andy Rayner, head of sixth form at The Grove School, added: “The students have worked so hard and that is evident in the results they have achieved."
Ellesmere College reported they had 'outstanding' results, with an overall pass rate of 96 per cent.
More than 50 per cent of all grades were A* to B.
Headmaster Brendan Wignall said: "I congratulate our A level, IB, and BTEC students on their outstanding achievements. It is a delight to see our students secure impressive grades such as these and it is particularly pleasing to see all who wish to progress to university being able to do so,” he said.
“It is even more impressive when taking into account the wide range of co-curricular activities they participate in as members of the choir, sports teams, orchestra, drama groups and debating.
“I commend them for participating fully in all the college has to offer and managing their academic commitment so effectively. Credit must also go to the excellent work of our teaching staff and, of course, to parents for their constant support and encouragement.”
Moreton Hall school in Oswestry said their students has attained 'exceptional' grades, with more than 70 per cent of grades being A* to B.
Principal Jonathan Forster - who retires this year - said he was 'delighted to be leaving te school in such good shape'.
"During my time at Moreton, we have scaled every academic height," he added.
Oswestry School, meanwhile, said their students had achieved 'fabulous' A-level results, with a 96 per cent pass rate.
They also said three of their top students had attained 'an average of 3.5 A levels equivalent to a points tally just below A*A*A*'.
Julian Noad, Headmaster, commented “I am delighted by the wide-ranging successes of our pupils.
"Given our non-selective intake and the increased challenge of A-levels, we are pleased by the overall figures.
"Moreover, I celebrate the individual successes. Our pupils have worked hard at their studies but also engaged with a wider co-curriculum which has developed their much needed ‘soft’ skills’. I wish every one of them every future happiness”.
Llanfyllin High School has congratulated its students after they attained 'a very pleasing improvement' with 100 per cent passes.
Almost half of the students' grades were A* to B and 'the majority' at A* to C.
Dewi Owen, headteacher, said: "It is very pleasing to see our students enjoy the reward of their hard work.
"We are very proud that our students achieve such good results with such consistency. This is due to a combination of factors: the fact that we are able to offer a wide curriculum in order to best meet students’ needs; the enthusiasm and commitment of our students; the hard work and dedication of our staff; and of course the support and encouragement of parents."
Welshpool High School said more than half their students gained three or more grades of A* to C and more than 70 per cent achieved two or more grades of A* to C.
Headteacher Jim Toal said: "I would like to congratulate all the students and wish them well as they move forward into the world of work, further training, and university, and thank the staff for supporting the students so ably during their studies."
Students across the NPTC Group of Colleges in Wales are celebrating results in completing Vocational courses as well as A-levels, apprenticeship and the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification (WBQ).
Seventy-four students achieved triple distinction grades in the Extended National Diploma qualifications, with 30 students achieving the highest possible grade profile of triple distinction stars which is the equivalent to three A* at A-level.
In A-levels, Neath College students attained a 100 per cent pass rate, with 46.3 per cent achieving A* to B grades and 76 per cent gaining A* to C grades.
Mark Dacey, chief executive officer and principal of NPTC Group of Colleges, said: “Once again we can celebrate the fact that we are a top achieving college with some remarkable results and talented students. Their success is down to hard work and dedication.
"We care about their future and with the support of our incredible staff and investment in facilities we can look forward to building on this success.”
Bishop Heber High School in Malpas said 60 per cent of its students had achieved A* to B, while 29 per cent got A* to A grades.
David Curry, the school's headteacher, said they are 'especially thrilled' following 'the recent changes in A-levels'.
"We are extremely pleased that so many of our students achieved their expected places at a wide range of universities," he said.
"These achievements demonstrate yet again that the school continues to provide high quality education and more importantly, that students feel challenged and supported to achieve their very best."
At Shrewsbury Colleges Group some of the 750 students who sat the exams made use of the online service to check their results, however, many visited the sites in London Road and at English Bridge.
The group's principal James Staniforth said: "This was the first year where all students in all subjects studied the new, harder, reformed A-levels.
"Even so, our students have achieved excellent results and therefore will be progressing to Oxbridge, Russell Group Universities, specialist courses for music, drama, dance and art.
"This is the result of their hard work and commitment as well as the excellent teaching and pastoral support for which the college is renowned."
Ishara Aluthgedara, 18, who is hoping to study cardiac physiology at Southampton University said: "I worked hard, and I feel as if it has totally paid off. My tutor really helped me, particularly as I worked out the best academic path for me."
