A-Level results 2024: Shropshire students celebrate another outstanding year of results

On Thursday, thousands of Shropshire teenagers were finally finding out if all of their hard work had paid off.

While nowadays, students receive their results through email at 8am, many of those at Telford College opted to attend the campus for a results day breakfast and experience the ceremony of the dreaded brown envelopes.

The Wellington-based college celebrated another strong set of results for their students, with the percentage of high-grades pass rates from A* to C rising for yet another year.

Maddie Bethwaite came to Telford College from Newport Girls High School for her A-Levels in media, art and photography.

While she said her results weren't quite what she had hoped for, they were enough to secure her a spot in her first choice university.

In September, the 18-year-old will be going on to study fine art at Birmingham City University.

18-year old Daniel Gill from Much Wenlock will be off to Salford University to study biological sciences after doing "a lot better than [he] thought".

He said: "Quite a few people in my family have autoimmune diseases, so I'd love to help with the research for that.

"I'm a bit sad college is over, I've really enjoyed it, but it'll be nice to have the independence and to experience the academic and social side of university."

Jack Hodnett, a former student of William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, will be going on to read maths at Birmingham University after amazing results in his maths, further maths and physics A-Levels.

Jack, from Madeley, was celebrating two A*s and an A: "It's a big relief because it's exactly what I wanted. I was confident, but in the back of my mind I was worrying."

Telford College principle, Lawrence Wood, joined the students for breakfast on Thursday just two weeks into his new role and said there was "a real buzz around the place".

He said: "[The students] have done fantastically well. We're so proud of them, so proud of what they've achieved.

"With so many students getting into their first choice university, with many deciding to do apprenticeships, go into work - it's been amazing, it's fantastic to see everyone's hard work pay off.

"I pay tribute also to the staff because the staff have worked terribly hard to support all of students to be successful in education."

Mr Wood finished with some advice for the students leaving the institution this week: "Enjoy what you do next. Make sure it's right for you.

"Don't just do it because you think that's what you're supposed to do. If you do go to university, if you do go into employment - really throw yourself into it, make the most out of that opportunity.

"Continue to work hard and I'm sure you'll have a successful life."

Meanwhile, around the county, other schools and colleges were also celebrating another stellar year for results.

Principal of Shrewsbury College, James Staniforth, said he was thrilled with the "fantastic results" of this year's cohort that saw over 98 per cent of students receiving a pass rate, and 47 per cent achieving a A*, A or B.

67 of their students achieved AAA or better in the results, with nine students getting three A*'s.

There were also excellent outcomes for students studying vocational courses, with 210 students achieving a triple distinction, 86 of whom achieved a triple star distinction - the highest possible grade.

Elswhere in the county town, Shrewsbury High School Sixth Formers also achieved an excellent set of results, with three-quarters of grades at A* to B. Eight girls even achieved a clean sweep of A* to A grades.

100 per cent of students studying fine art, art and design (graphics) and art and design (photography) achieved A* or As, as did those taking religious studies.

Headteacher, Darren Payne praised his year 13 students and said he delighted that following their hard work they will now be heading off to pursue university courses, industry apprenticeships and gap years, with over 80 per cent of students achieving their first-choice destination.

He said: “I am extremely proud of our Year 13s. This is a year group of outstanding young women who deserve all of the success they are enjoying today.

"I am proud of their academic achievements, of the contributions they have made to our school and of their inspiring leadership during their Sixth Form years as excellent role models to our younger students. I wish them every success and happiness for the future.”

While Adcote School for Girls celebrated 59 per cent of students receiving A* or A grades. The results is a nine per cent increase on last year results.

Wrekin College were celebrating their most successful set of results in a decade.

Fifty-one per cent of A-Level grades awarded were A* to B, which is an improvement of five per cent compared with 2023.

Twenty-nine per cent of the grades students achieved were either an A* or an A, which the college says is particularly impressive given that the number of top grades awarded this year is expected to fall as exam boards return to pre-pandemic grading standards.

Students at Madeley Academy in Telford celebrated the best ever set of exam results at the school.

There are many individual success stories with 90 per cent of students now progressing onto universities - all gaining their first choice - and a huge 48 per cent of those at prestigious universities.

Clare Snik, Head of Sixth Form said: “I am thrilled for our students, they are a true asset to the Academy and their hard work and commitment to their studies has been rewarded.”

Rae Anyidodo, who has been serving as a Member of Youth Parliament, has been awarded a place to read medicine at Cambridge.

Head teacher, Lady Maria Satchwell said: “We are incredibly proud of Rae's hard work and determination, not only did he gain A* in Maths, Chemistry and Biology and an A in French, but also dedicated his time to giving back to the community, work experience and volunteering.

While Oswestry School pupils have achieved almost double the number of A* grades compared to 2023 with just under 10 per cent of grades at the top grade and well over half of all grades within the A* to B bracket.

Eight pupils achieved an impressive clean sweep of A* and A grades, including head boy Myles Wilkinson who goes on to study biology at the University of Oxford having already been awarded a choral scholarship.

Elsewhere in the town, Moreton Hall students outperformed the pre-pandemic results of 2019, with 45 per cent of students bagging A* to A grades.

91 per cent of students will now be packing their bags for their first choice of university, many of them to the most competitive Russell Group institutions.

A total of 171 sixth form pupils successfully completed their A-Levels at Haberdasher Adams, with 75 per cent of pupils achieving A* to B grades (up from 65 per cent in 2023) and 47 per cent achieving A* to A grades (up from 41 per cent in 2023).

Eight students from the Newport-based grammar school have successfully secured Oxbridge places.

Newport Girls’ High School is also celebrating an outstanding set of results, including a further increase in the number of A* to A grades and 77 per cent of all grades at A* to B.

Kate Griffin, head of sixth form, said: “We are so proud of our students and their achievements this year; they have been a wonderful cohort and we are thrilled to see so many achieve their potential.

"The results are a testament to their work ethic and commitment to their studies. Many of our students are now leaving NGHS for top universities, whilst others have secured excellent apprenticeships.

"We wish them every success in their next steps and look forward to hearing what they achieve in the future.”

Ellesmere College students are celebrated an incredible 96 per cent pass rate at A Level with many students securing places at top universities across the UK and overseas.

The college's BTEC Diploma results also impressed, with students celebrating another year of 100 per cent pass results.

While Bridgnorth Sixth Form students celebrated securing some of the school's best ever grades.

Headteacher, Lee Tristham said: “I am delighted for all our students who have worked tremendously hard throughout their studies. The determination and resilience they have shown has been fantastic, they deserve full credit for all they have achieved.

“This years results included some of our strongest. Holden Williamson achieved ‘Grade A*’ in 4 A’level Qualifications (Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics) alongside Milly Burt who gained ‘Grade A*’ in Biology and ‘Grade A’ in Chemistry and Maths.

"Both go onto study at Oxford University, Holden will study Physics and Milly Biology.”