Youngsters were jumping for joy in east Suffolk today as the tension ended and the envelopes were opened – revealing some excellent A-level results.
Of almost 3,000 students which sat A-level examinations across the county, 98.5% achieved A*-E grades, up from 98% last year, with 76% of grades achieved at A*-C, down from 77% last year.
At Woodbridge School, the 89 A-level students achieved a 97.54% pass rate for A*-E grades with 82% achieving A*-C and 53% gaining at least one A* or A grade.
Neil Tetley, headteacher at Woodbridge School, said: “Congratulations to all A-level pupils on achieving brilliant results after two years of hard work and dedication.
“As well as excelling academically, all pupils have developed into confident, independent and well-balanced young adults who should be very proud of their achievements. We wish pupils all the best as they leave us for their chosen university and career paths.”
Staff, pupils and parents at Farlingaye High School, Woodbridge, were thrilled with the A-level results today – as the school saw a pass rate of 99%, with 82% of students gaining grades A*-C.
Headteacher Sue Hargadon said: “We are utterly delighted with another great set of A-level results. An excellent 35% of students achieved at least two A grades with a quarter of students achieving at least one A* grade.
“It’s wonderful to see such a lovely year group achieve so well and go on to great university and employment opportunities.”
Natalie Nickells achieved four A* and two A grades with a further two A grades at AS, while Jonty Page achieved four A* grades and two A grades at AS.
Elliot Parker achieved six A-levels in one sitting with two at A* and four at grade A. Will Crookall, Sam Elliot, Megan Taylor and Sam Yale all gained at least three A* grades.
Headteacher of Bungay High School, Angelo Goduti, said this year’s A-Level results were the best-ever at the school’s sixth form.
There was a pass rate of 98%, with 79% of results graded A*-C, with half of all entries graded at A*-B.
The pass rate for the school’s level three vocational and technical courses at 97% with most of the grades awarded at the very highest levels.
Mr Goduti said: “We are immensely proud of our students’ achievements and these results reflect their hard work, commitment and determination.
“Two of our students, Evvia Gonzales and Felix Prutton, have been successful in gaining entry to the University of Cambridge where they will be studying Natural Sciences; Evvia at St. John’s and Felix at Downing.
“The Governors and I would like to pass on our congratulations to the students, staff and parents of Bungay High Sixth Form on the excellent results achieved this year.”
At St Felix School in Reydon, the 21 pupils achieved a 93% pass rate, with 80% achieving A*-C grades. All of the year 13 students got into their university of choice, James Harrison, who starts his role as headteacher in September, said.
One student, Caitlin Dobson, from Lowestoft, achieved two A*s and an A and will be going to study English and Education at Cambridge.
Tom Collis, from Southwold, will be going to Newcastle University to train to become a doctor after also achieving two A*s and an A.
Mr Harrison said: “We are extremely pleased with this year’s results. It’s testament to the hard work of students and staff alike that all of this year’s cohort will be starting the next step of their education at the university of their choice. We’ve got a lot of international students and although we are a diverse boarding school we are also a school for pupils from Norfolk and Suffolk.
“We’ve had a lot of pupils go on to do quite well and hopefully these pupils will too.”
Alde Valley Academy’s 16 A-Level students are celebrating after achieving a 100% pass rate. 65% of results were graded A*-C.
Michael Wilson, principal at Alde Valley Academy said: “Our students have made extraordinary progress and we are absolutely delighted with their results. The commitment and passion they have shown in the last two years has been exceptional and we have seen all of our students flourish into upstanding citizens of our community with bright futures ahead of them – well done to everyone.
“What is particularly encouraging is the progress the students have made while studying at Alde Valley Academy and the vast majority have exceeded their target grades, which are based on their GCSE results. We have been working extremely hard to inspire our students to reach their potential through a wide range of activities, which have included organising charitable and community events, internships and residential trips, as well as mentoring our Year 11 students.
“We are continuing to invest in our school and we are extremely excited for the times ahead.”
Students at Hartismere School and Sixth Form achieved 79% A*-C grades and 99% 5A*-E grades overall.
Headmaster, James McAtear, said: “These results are a testimony to the hard work of all our staff, governors and students and to the support given to them by their parents.”
Students at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham are preparing to set off for a range of universities – to pursue courses including medicine and veterinary science – and college and apprenticeships after excellent A-level results.
The school’s overall pass rate for its 137 candidates was 98% A*-E, with 73% of grades between A*-C.
Headteacher Philip Hurst said: “We congratulate the students on a superb set of results. As a year group they were a pleasure to work with and their contribution to the wider life of the school was exceptional. We wish them every success with the next stage of their lives.”
Following the national trend, mathematics was the most popular A-level with 42 entries and with 60% of grades being awarded A* to B.
Top performers in the exams included Calvin Coe with four Grade As and an A Grade in the Extended Project; Elizabeth Gaylard with two A* and an A grade); Tom Heath with one A* and 3As; Mabel McCabe with two A*s and 2As; and Frank Evans with one A* and 2As.
All A-Levels exams taken at Diss High School achieved an A*-E grade, with 65% of results being A*-C.
Headteacher Jan Hunt said: “Students and staff are to be congratulated on a fabulous set of results.”
At Felixstowe Academy, the 50 students achieved a 99% pass rate for A*-E and 63% A*-C.
Academy principal Anthony Williams said: “We are extremely proud of the achievement of our students in terms of their attainment and more so with the progress they have made. The students and teachers have worked hard to achieve these results and witnessing this shared success was something very special.”
The 91 year 13 pupils at Stowmarket High School have been congratulated by headteacher Dave Lee-Allen, after 84% of students attainied A*-C grades. The overall pass rate was 97%.
Mr Lee-Allan added diploma courses were particularly noteworthy for the number of A* distinctions that students achieved and that all students have secured places at their next place of study.
He added: “At a time when the concern within the teaching profession was about the volatility of results, we have thankfully seen a traditionally strong performance at A-Level. The students have worked so hard and deserve every success.
“I would like to thank all the staff and governors for their hard work, but also the support of parents. Wherever these students choose to go, whether it be university, apprenticeships or the workplace, I am proud that they have the results that they need to build a happy and secure future.”
Notable performances were seen from Maisie Frost, who secured her place at Cambridge with her two A*’s and two As, Matthew Chapelle with one A* and three As and both Sally Halls and Robert Norman securing three As. Sarah Bensley achieved three A*’s for her Health and Social Care and moves on to study nursing at UEA.
Mr Lee-Allan added: “Congratulations to Adam Fuller, Harry Wilding, Joseph Balaam, Lucas Cantwell, Elizabeth Ludbrook, Ellie Dickinson and Mark Lennon on achieving full apprenticeships with reputable companies.”
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