A-level students across north Essex have been breathing a sigh of relief today as the agonising wait for their results is finally over.
Shouts of joy could be heard in many school halls in scenes of delight, with tears of both joy and occasional sadness seen on some students’ cheeks.
At Colchester County High School for Girls 60% of all grades were A*/A, an increase of 5% on last year, with another year of 100% A*-E grades.
A total of 14 pupils achieved four A*/A grades, including Anastasia Tew who achieved straight A*s.
Headteacher Gillian Marshall said: “We are extremely proud of the students. These are an outstanding set of results.
“Congratulations are sent to all associated with this remarkable achievement.”
Colchester Royal Grammar School saw another bumper crop of high grades, with a 99.9% A*-E and 97% A*-C pass rate, one percentage point down on last year.
Headteacher Ken Jenkinson said: “This year’s students are to be congratulated on their impressive results, and I am delighted for them. I know how hard the students and their teachers work, and they fully deserve their success.
“This year group has also made a particularly strong contribution to the wider life of the school, and I thank them for their goodwill and positive influence in the school.
“I wish them every success in their university courses, which they can now embark on with confidence and enthusiasm.”
Some of the best students were Vincent Chan, Haowen Kwan, Mando Lo and George Manley who all got five A*s.
Hedingham School said it was celebrating its best ever overall results, with a 98% overall pass rate and 72% at A*-C.
Headteacher John Panayi said: “We are pleased to achieve our best ever A-level results and having almost half of students achieving A*-B grades is outstanding.
“The school worked collectively to set high student expectations, which again, has been reflected in the results. I would like to thank the commitment and hard work demonstrated by all students, staff and parents.
“I wish all the students a successful future.”
Top performers included Orla Crawley-Smart and Jade Newton with A*AA grades.
At Colchester Sixth Form College students repeated the 98% pass and 74% A*-C rate of last year.
College principal Ian MacNaughton said: “These results are really fantastic. The students’ achievements are quite outstanding and they must be very warmly congratulated.”
Top performers included Hannah Yellop who achieved four A*s and James Curran who got four A*s and an A.
Thurstable Sixth Form Centre, in Tiptree, saw a big improvement in its overall grades with the 99% overall pass rate achieved last year maintained, but with the A*-C pass rate rising from 78% in 2014 to 84% this year.
Miles Bacon, headteacher, said: “Our Sixth Form does a great job of making sure every student gets a tailored programme of study that meets their individual needs, and gives them the great teaching and support they need to succeed.
“This is another set of results that reflects this, and was hard earned by our students and staff.
“It’s great to see all of our year 13 gaining the qualifications they need to take up their chosen next steps in their education and their lives.
“I would like to pay tribute to them, their teachers, and their supportive parents. They have made all of us at Thurstable very proud.”
The Witham Sixth Form, combining the Maltings and New Rickstones academies, saw a slight dip in overall results with 94% A*-E grades compared to 99.6% last year.
New Rickstones pupils achieved 100% with 94% of Maltings students attaining the level.
John Szynal, executive principal at the schools, said: “The results from both academies show the strength of post-16 education in Witham and we are very excited for the future.
“The staff and students of both academies should deservedly feel proud of their achievement.”
High achievers included Lois Bronze with A*AC, Adriana Kelidi with ABB and Wasim Sumun with A*BB.
Philip Morant College, Colchester, saw its overall A*-E pass rate rise by one point to 99%, while its A*-C pass rate dipped to 67%, down from 73.8% last year.
Catherine Hutley, principal, said: “I am so pleased to see so many students do so well. They thoroughly deserve it.”
Gareth Staines, head of college, added: “I want to say well done to all our students. The college team and I will miss them, but I know they are going off to do all manner of exciting things, in which they will undoubtedly be very successful.”
Top students included Eliza Brady and Shannon Parker with A*A* and A*A respectively in fine art and photography A-levels while Tim Gardiner and Erin Cole both achieved A* grades in maths, with Tim also gaining As in further maths and chemistry and Erin attaining a distinction* in IT.
The Colne Community College, Brightlingsea, has seen a 99% overall pass rate from its A-level and BTEC students.
Nardeep Sharma, executive principal, said: “I am delighted all the students’ and teachers’ hard work has culminated in a successful group of results. The college is growing and the results reflect its vibrant nature. Congratulations to all involved.”
Clacton County High School said it was celebrating its best ever results, with an A*-C pass rate of 81% and A*-E rate of 100%, both up one point from last year.
Neil Gallagher, principal, said: “Once again the results have surpassed all expectations. We have seen exceptional achievement across the board.
“The proportion of students achieving the highest grades is very impressive and is down to the exceptional efforts made by the students and their teachers.
“My congratulations go out to all of the students and their families and I wish them every success in the next stage in their chosen path.”
Among the best students at the school were Molly Aldis with four As, Steven Rodwell and Emily Luxford with three As and Ellie Morrissey with three As and a C.
At Tendring Technology College there was a one point rise in the A*-C pass rate at 82%, with the A*-E rate dropping one point to 98%.
Caroline Haynes, principal, said: “We are once again delighted by the performance of our students. We have very high levels of achievement at every level of ability, and in every subject we offer.
“It is fantastic to see young people reaping the rewards of the hard work, effort and dedication they have demonstrated towards their studies.
“These results reflect the outstanding teaching that takes place every day, I am very proud of our staff, and we as a college are all very proud of what our students have achieved.”
Top achievers included Vinny Gribbin with A*AAA, Jonah Thomas with A*A*AB, Ilona Szabo and Liam Donovan with A*A*A and George Nunn with A*AA.
At Clacton Coastal Academy there was a 3% rise in the overall A*-E pass rate with the school achieving 99%.
Tracey Hemming, principal, said: “The drive for improvement and academic success at Clacton Coastal Academy (CCA) is continuous and is reflected in these results.
“Our students are always aspiring to be the best they can and this is also reflected. There are many well-deserved successes to celebrate and many students well prepared for the next part of their educational journey.
“I, the governors and the staff at CCA couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Some of the best pupils at the school included Harry King with ACC who is off to study at the University of Essex, and Daniel Duggan with ABB plus a distinction* and a distinction.
Braintree Sixth Form saw a one point rise in its A*-C pass rate which climbed to 70%, with a 100% pass rate.
Co-directors Sarah Steadman and Kate Stubbs said: “We are delighted to see so many of our students achieving academic success.
“There are many students gaining A*-B grades and high international baccalaureate scores, which is testament to their hard work and the support of parents and staff.
“It is very pleasing to see so many students continuing their educational journeys at top universities.”
Top performers included Oliver Kiernowski, Jake Turley, Lucy McNair, Louise Lazell, Emily Norman, Alice Fraser and Matthew Rawlings.
Harwich and Dovercourt High School attained a 100% pass rate with more than half of pupils achieving A*-B.
Headteacher Rob Garrett said: “It has been very pleasing to see our A-level and BTEC results. A-level results are in line with those achieved in 2014 whilst the school has seen a significant increase in the outcomes from its vocational courses.
“We are delighted these results mean more than 85% of our year 13 students have already secured university places.
“These results provide a fantastic foundation upon which to build.
“The school is very proud of the achievements made by its students and wishes them every success in their future learning and employment.”
Felsted School saw a one percent rise in both its A*-C and A*-E pass rates, recording 79% and 100% respectively.
Headteacher Dr Mike Walker said: “I am delighted at these results which have sustained the academic achievements of the school, and are a tribute to the hard work of all of our students, in close collaboration with teaching staff.
“We have seen excellent achievement resulting in the securing of places at top universities and at the same time a range of other exceptional achievements as diverse as a Princess Diana Award for charity work, four students achieving MENSA membership, as well as many other sporting, musical and acting successes.”
Top achiever at the school was Oliver Williams gained three A* grades in maths, further maths and economics and an A grade in Latin.
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