THERE were tears of joy and relief for hundreds of pupils across the borough yesterday (August 12) as students collected their A-Level results following a tense Summer of waiting.
Many students across Redditch and Alcester have bucked the national trend with youngsters achieving top grades whilst 409,000 students across the nation have already been placed in UK higher education – up three per cent on 2014.
This is the highest number of acceptances recorded on A-Level results day and includes 362,000 students accepted to their first choice.
Yet again St Augustine’s Catholic High School has achieved outstanding results with 100 per cent of pupils scooping three or more A-Levels, 63 per cent celebrating four and a 100 per cent pass rate achieved overall.
The school is also celebrating an exceptionally high average total points score of 964.
Mr Anthony Quinn, principal, said: “I am absolutely ecstatic – the individual achievement of students has been amazing and they are all going on to a variety destinations, not just academic ones.
“They have all performed way beyond what was expected of them at GCSE level – we are very proud of their achievements.”
Top performers include Daniel Waldron, Amandeep Sahota, Ellena Guest, Katie Courtney, Alan Cooke and Jack Bowen.
RSA Academy Arrow Vale celebrated a fantastic year by achieving their best ever A-Level results with 70 per cent of students achieving at least one A grade and 48 per cent of grades achieved being between A* and B.
Top students who scooped grades A* and A includes George Friel, Stephen Dear, Dan Muckle and Hayley Penny.
Guy Shears, principal, said: “This is a great reflection on the hard work of our students supported by our excellent staff as our Sixth Form goes from strength to strength.”
Staff at Trinity High School are also in high spirits following their third consecutive year of improved results and the school’s average point score per student was also up on last year – increasing by 40 points.
Top performer Barnaby Hawthorn scooped three As and is off to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
Adrian Ward, Headteacher, said: “I am delighted that Trinity Sixth Form continues to demonstrate a drive for excellence for all our students. The students and staff should be extremely proud of these achievements.”
Alcester Grammar School is yet another school enjoying a record year as pupils scoop the best ever A-Level results with over 65 per cent of entries graded A* to B and 43 students having achieved at least three As whilst six youngsters are off to Oxbridge.
Clive Sentance, Principal, said: “At a time when the exam regime is tightening and the standards needed for top grades are rising, these results are very pleasing and thoroughly deserved.”
Meanwhile the last ever A Level students at Heart of Worcestershire College, which will now concentrate on more vocational courses, signed off on a high after getting their results.
A spokesperson said: “We would like to congratulate all of our students who received their A-Level results today. We are really pleased our students have been successful in gaining places at their chosen universities which has included Bristol University, University of Worcester, Birmingham City University and Bangor University. We wish them all the best for their future studies.”
Woodrush High School in Wythall celebrated another terrific year with many students securing places at universities across the country.
Particular congratulations go to Kathryn who achieved three A* to C grades, Mark who achieved two Distinction* and a B, and Megan, Elisabeth and Sarah who all achieved three A to B grades.
A spokeswoman said: “We are extremely proud of our students and we are delighted with their hard work and commitment to their studies at Woodrush. All students that wanted to continue studies at university have gained places to do this in a range of degree courses.
“We congratulate all our sixth form students and wish them the very best and thank parents, carers and our staff who supported their fantastic achievements.”
Tudor Grange Academy is also extremley proud of its youngsters, with one third of all students achieving a top grade between A* and B and star pupil Nicola Moss bagging four A* grades.
Rose Rees, principal, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of them if they were my own kids.”
