Video: Pupils in east Suffolk celebrate as A-level results are released

Youngsters will be finding out whether they have made the grade and are off to their first choice universities or if they will have to rethink their plans and consider their options.

At Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, 236 students sat their A-level exams.

There was a pass rate of 99% with 74% at A* to C and 52% at A* to B.

Headteacher Sue Hargadon said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have had another year of excellent results. Both the average total point score and average grade continue to be at a very high level and an excellent 18% of students achieved at least one 1* grade with 10 students achieving at least 3A* grades. Eight students have places at Cambridge, Oxford or to read medicine or veterinary science.

“This is a real tribute to the hard work by a super group of students and the support they were given by their staff and parents.”

Among those to do particularity well were Tamsin Haruey, Owen Smith, Henry Rose and Louisa Sergeant who all achieved at least 4 A* grades and Sam Nunn, Grace Marwick, Zach Bond, Sam Hutt, Christina Aresti and Seb Bechmann who all achieved at least 3 A* grades.

At Woodbridge School 88 students sat A-level exams, with 89% achieving A*-C grades and 99% A*-E grades.

The results matched last year’s efforts, with a quarter of the top grades being A*s.

Headmaster Stephen Cole said: “Woodbridge has a strong culture of aspiration, and is equally very proud of the considerable achievement of its high ability pupils as those who set ‘personal bests’ that do not feature in league tables, yet which open the doors to their first choice universities.”

At Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham 124 students sat A-level exams, with 78% achieving A*-C grade and 99.5% achieving A*-E.

John Jennings, head of sixth form, said they were delighted with the results and that it was testament to the hard work or students and teachers.

He said they were particularly pleased because seven youngsters had achieved high enough grades to go to Oxbridge - a school record.

“It is absolutely brilliant,” he said. “There is a wonderful atmosphere.”

At Framlingham College 90 students sat A-level exams, with 77.4% achieving A*-C grades and 96.9% A*-E grades.

Headmaster Paul Taylor said: “These are again a strong set of A-level results, which were largely in line with expectations.

“Importantly, the vast majority of our students have secured places at their chosen universities and should be congratulated on their achievements.”

At Alde Valley School - previously Leiston High School - 51 students sat A-level exams, with 64.5% achieving A*-C and 99.1% achieving A*-E.

Approximately 50% of students have secured places at university and a number are going on to employment and apprenticeships.

Anne Marie Oaten, head of sixth form, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the achievement of our young people. They have been a delight to work with and I am really pleased to see them moving on in their lives having gained a solid foundation during their time in the sixth form.”

Deputy headteacher Emma Laflin added: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of all our students.

“The results of our young people clearly demonstrate our ongoing work to ensure that our post 16 curriculum meets the needs of our learners.”

Stowmarket High School’s results saw all 80 students achieve grades between A*-E. From the school more than 75% of students managed to get grades A*-C.

Keith Penn, headteacher said: “We are absolutely delighted, the results are really good. The results are far higher than the student’s predictions, they have exceeded them by some considerable way. It is testament to the hard work of the pupils and teachers who have made significant progress over the years.”

Felixstowe Academy’s first ever A level results saw 62% of students gain A*-C grades and 96% awarded A*-E.

The academy was opened last September after the merger of Orwell and Deben high schools.

Headteacher Andrew Salter said: “We are extremely proud of all of our students who have worked hard to achieve very good results this year in both A Level and/or BTEC qualifications. We are really pleased that so many students achieved their targets and some exceeded their expectations.”

Out of 107 students from Royal Hospital School in Holbook, 99.7% of them achieved grades between A*-E, with 83.4% getting A*-C grades. Headmaster, James Lockwood, praised the achievements of his students, he said: “Nearly a third of grades awarded were A*s or A’s and 13 pupils gained impressive three A grades or above.

“I am delighted with what all our students have achieved, both in their A-level examinations and in terms of the life experiences they have gained here at the Royal Hospital School.”

Several students achieved straight A grades at Saint Felix School, near Southwold, where 29 students sat exams, with 62% gaining A*-C grades and 97% leaving with A*-E grades. Headmaster, Dr Simon Letman, said: “We are delighted with this year’s excellent A level results and once again Saint Felix School has bucked the national trend. In a year when tougher marking guidelines have depressed the number of top grades awarded nationally, our proportion has continued to rise.”

At Northgate High School, in Ipswich, 251 students sat A-levels, with 81% achieving grades A*-C and 99% achieving A*-E.

Headteacher David Hutton said: “I am delighted that very nearly 60% of all A-level awards were graded A*-B, enabling a lot of students to take up places at top universities like Oxford or Cambridge, or study elsewhere on competitive courses like Medicine or Mathematics”

In total 117 students sat the exams at Ipswich’s Copleston High School, of which 67% achieved A*-C and 97% achieved A*-E.

Principal Shaun Common said: “We would like to congratulate our students and their families on their successes at A-level this year.

“Our students and staff have worked extremely conscientiously throughout the last two years to ensure the best possible outcomes. Most students have achieved their target grades and are delighted with their achievements. Students have done so well that they have produced the highest points per candidate in the History of the school. Our highest achieving students achieved points equivalent to four A* and two grade As.”

Kesgrave High School had 147 students sitting the exams, with 68% achieving A*-C grades and 97% getting A*-E.

Deputy head Cath Breckell said: “A lot of the students got their first place offer and many got their second.

“We’re delighted with them all, they’ve all worked really hard. It’s been a really happy and positive day.”

At Suffolk One in Ipswich, staff are celebrating the first batch of students to receive their A-levels since the institution opened two years ago.

Of the 309 students who sat their A-levels, 73% received grades A*-C and 98% achieved A*-E grades.

Vice principal Jenny Milsom said: “Early indications suggest that we have met and exceeded expectations. So we would like to congratulate students and staff on their excellent efforts.”

Students at Suffolk New College were also opening the all-important brown envelopes today.

The college had a 100% pass rate, with 69% receiving grades A*-C.

Professor Dave Muller, principal at Suffolk New College, said: “We have had yet another successful year with our A-level results. It is tremendous to see what our students have achieved from their studies, along with the excellent support from their lecturers.”

At Ipswich High School for Girls in Woolverstone, 100% of the 37 students passed their exams. The school’s English Literature candidates achieved outstanding results with more than 70% cent graded A* and A grades.

While 100% achieved A*-E, 92.5% successfully got A*-C.

Head Elaine Purves, said “We are absolutely thrilled that our students have achieved such well-deserved results. This summer has seen stellar results for our female athletes at the Olympics, and it seems fitting that our girls have delivered Gold here at Ipswich High.”

Students from St Joseph’s College, Ipswich achieved impressive results at A-level after a considerable level of work over the last two years.

Sixteen different subjects achieved 100% pass rates and the top 10% of students achieved an impressive UCAS points score of 556, which is equivalent of well over three A* grades and an A grade at A level.

Principal Sian Grant said: “St Joseph’s College aims to help every student to be their best meaning that they enter the modern world well equipped – confident without arrogance. We are proud of every one and wish them every success in the future having had an outstanding experience during their sixth form studies.”

At Ipswich School, headmaster Nicolas Weaver told of his delight after 92.6% of the 118 students achieved grades A*-C. In addition 100% achieved A*-E.

Mr Weaver said: “I would like to congratulate our students on their A-level results – they recognise the effort put in by these young people over the last two years, and the parents and staff who have supported them.”

Ipswich’s St Albans Catholic High School’s 98 students were celebrating today after 99% achieved grades A*-E. Meanwhile, 76% achieved A*-C.

At Bungay High School, the A*-C pass rate was 64%, while 96% achieved A*-E grades. Sean O’Neill, headteacher, said: “The results are very much as predicted, an impressive set of A-Level results, with a 209 average per entry compared to our prediction of 210.

“It is a very positive outcome, and my thanks go to the commitment of staff, students and parents working with the youngsters.”

Sir John Leman High School, in Beccles, returned an A*-C pass rate of 66% and an A*-E rate of 97%. Jeremy Rowe, headteacher, said: “I think it is another huge step forward for Sir John Leman. We have improved by almost a grade per A-Level in the last three years and in the last year we have doubled our number of A*s, and are confident in the future we can go even higher.”

Sarah Gray, director of sixth form at Hartismere School, praised the pupils’ achievements, she said: “Hartismere is enormously proud of the achievements of our year 13 and year 12 students and the students’ excellent grades reflect their outstanding hard work and enthusiasm.

“Some of our students leave to begin their careers – some with local businesses.”

It was the first year students at Lowestoft Sixth Form College had collected results, with 97% of youngsters achieving A*-E grades.

College principal Yolanda Botham said: “I am delighted with this set of results that reflects the continuing hard work of our students and the collaborative efforts of our teachers.”

Dr Jan Hunt, headteacher of Diss High School said she was ‘thrilled’ when she saw their A-level results. She said: “Over 90% of our students have already had their university places confirmed. We are thrilled with these results and congratulate staff and students for all their hard work.”