The wait is over for A level results

The overall pass rate has risen from 97.8 per cent to 98 per cent, but some 26.6 per cent of A-level entries achieved A* or A grades this summer compared to 27 per cent last year - but many Warwickshire schools have built on earlier successes. - and overall fewer pupils may choose to go to university because of tuition fees - but some Warwickshire schools have nonetheless built on earlier success.

Southam College’s headteacher Ranjit Samra said his pupils had once again achieved “outstanding” results, with not only a 98 per cent pass rate but a five per cent improvement in grades A* to B, up to 45 per cent.

Mr Samra said: “We are over the moon with the results. They are a tremendous credit to the students who have worked so hard for the past two years, ably supported by an excellent team of staff, and extremely supportive parents.”

At Warwick School, the pupils achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, with 86 per cent of all grades being passed at A*-B and 25 per cent being A* grades, showing an improvement on last year’s results.

Headteacher Edward Halse said: “Once again I am delighted that boys and staff worked hard to obtain these splendid results.

“It is worth emphasising that Warwick School boys not only attain super results through tremendous hard work, steadfast support from their parents and the skills and commitment of our dedicated teachers, but also are provided with the broadest education possible in which all boys are given the opportunity to participate in a choice of some 90 activities each week.

“Excellent results coupled with such great opportunities have clearly culminated in another hugely successful year.”

North Leamington School’s sixth form is celebrating “another excellent year” for results.

Of the 140 pupils who sat the exams, 99 per cent achieved passes and 42 per cent were awarded grades from A* to B.

There were 100 per cent pass rates in 33 of the 37 subjects studied, including maths, physics, English, French, computing, German, geography, history, economics, politics, art, dance, drama, music, photography, business studies, media studies, sports studies and religious studies.

Results in maths were outstanding with four A* grades, seven A grades and 73 per cent of the 26 individual entries being awarded grades from A* to B.

Joy Mitchell, the school’s headteacher, said: “I am delighted with the performance of this year’s A level students - they have continued to exceed expectations, adding great value to their previous attainment at GCSE.

“These results should stand our students in good stead during this continued difficult period for both university entrance and employment prospects.”

Girls at The Kingsley School in Leamington achieved more top grades than ever before.

Thirty per cent of the pupils gained A* and A grades, 60 per cent achieved grades A* to B and the pass rate at grades A* to C was 79 per cent.

Headteacher Heather Owens said: “The combination of small classes and Kingsley’s personalised approach to learning has brought about this stunning improvement in our A level results.

“The girls work hard knowing that they are well supported by teachers who go the extra mile to ensure they are now able to take up places at their chosen destinations,”

Trinity School in Leamington received its best ever results, with A* to B grades at 49 per cent - an increase of six per cent from last year.

New principal Chris Gabbett said: “We are very proud of our sixth form students for these results. We are very pleased many other students will, on the back of these efforts, get into their first choice of university.

“Congratulations to our Year 13, ll of their teachers, with particular thanks to Jon Shires, head of sixth form and Barbara Kirkby, assistant head of sixth form”.

Having received a very good Ofsted report for its A level teaching earlier this year, Myton School had further cause to celebrate.

Its 123 sixth form pupils achieved record-breaking results with 28 per cent achieving grades from A* to A, 56 per cent getting A to B and 81 per cent achieving A* to C.

The school’s overall pass rate was 98 per cent.

Headteacher Paul MacIntyre said: “We would like to congratulate all of our students – the governors and staff at Myton are justifiably proud of their achievements.

“They deserve their successes, and we wish them well as they progress to their chosen university or career, they will always be members of the Myton family.”

Campion School has achieved its best ever A Level results this year with a 100 per cent pass rate at A level and 75 per cent of pupils in Year 13 going on to university.

Jassa Panesar, the school’s deputy headteacher, said: “We are delighted that so many of our Year 13 pupils have achieved so highly in their A levels and are now moving on to degree courses at university.

“This year group have worked extremely hard with their teachers and their families.

They fully deserve these excellent results.

“In recent years Campion School has invested heavily in academic subjects and we have seen a significant rise in GCSE and A Level results.

“We are now seeing many more pupils securing places on degree courses at university. We are very pleased with the strong progress made by students at the school.”

In a record year, 28 per cent of upper sixth formers at Princethorpe College received A* or A grades and an A to C rate of 87 per cent.

Headmaster Ed Hester was delighted with the results.

He said: “These results are the best ever in the College’s history, with 65 per cent of all grades at B or better.

“While we are of course delighted with their academic achievements, these pupils have many other fine qualities: kindness, respect and a strong sense of right and wrong which will be as important for them - if not more - as they move on to the next phase of their education.

“This is a year group which has worked exceptionally hard and I am delighted pupils have been rewarded for their outstanding efforts,” he commented.

Kineton High School headteacher Julia Morris said her pupils had performed “exceptionally well” this year, achieving a 97 per cent pass rate, 17 per cent of entries scored A* or A grades.

She added: “These are outstanding results which reflect the hard work and dedication of the students and the staff.”

Stratford Girls’ Grammar has bucked the national trend with more students than ever achieving A* or A.

From the pupils sitting the exams, 54 per cent achieved these grades - a five per cent increase on last year.

Ten girls secured places at Oxford and Cambridge and many other girls took places at highly competitive universities including Durham, Exeter, Nottingham and Warwick.

Headteacher Kate Barnett said: “There has been considerable coverage about A-levels getting easier but our students achieve excellent results because they work hard - very hard.

“Girls know that they will be competing with similarly able and motivated young people for university places so, just like the young athletes we saw in the Olympics, they focus.

“They also receive excellent support from their parents and teachers.

“Seeing girls celebrating their results, having secured places at their first choice of university, is always a joy.

“One of the highlights this year has been the success of girls who have joined us in the sixth form.

“Many have exceeded their own expectations and are absolutely delighted to achieve results which they feel are their personal bests.”

Warwickshire College students improved on last year’s pass rate. At the Leamington centre in Warwick New Road, students bettered last year’s figure, with 98.6 per cent passing, compared to 97 per cent last year.

A total of 72 per cent of Leamington students’ results were at the top grades of A* to C – a big leap from last year’s 66 per cent.

Mel Colley, programme area manager for A Levels, said: “Our results this year are testament to the hard work of our students and their tutors.

“We are thrilled that our pass rate at our Leamington centre at 98.6 per cent is an improvement on the national average of 98 per cent. I wish our students all the very best for the future in whatever they choose to do.”

At King Edward VI School in Stratford, 75 per cent of papers were graded A* to B, rising from 71 per cent last year and 19 pupils obtained three A grades or better. 

Headmaster Bennet Carr said: “I am delighted that our students and staff have been able to reap the rewards of their combined dedication and commitment. 
“Special mention should also be made of the parents who have provided such wonderful support during their son’s time at KES. As they leave us, it is particularly pleasing that these results have enabled our students to secure places on the country’s most competitive university courses, including four to Oxbridge colleges.”

At King’s High School in Warwick the pass rate at A*, A or B grade was 85.6 per cent. More than half of the pupils taking A-levels received A or A* grades across the board and eight departments had no grades below a B.

Headmistress Elizabeth Surber said: “We are thrilled to be celebrating some wonderful A level results again this year. This is testament to the hard work of our talented girls and the inspirational teaching at King’s High.”