Warrington schools and colleges celebrate excellent A Level results

STUDENTS and Colleges across Warrington are celebrating “excellent and “fantastic” A Level results.

It was all smiles at Priestley College today for young people with aspirations of becoming doctors, lawyers, scientists and engineers.

Among them was Matthew Peach who earned A*s in Biology, Maths and German along with an A in Chemistry to secure his place at Oxford University studying Biochemistry.

“I can’t wait to get there now,” said Matthew, a former Cardinal Newman pupil. “I visited Oxford with Priestley and straight away I liked the atmosphere and found the staff really friendly.”

The Class of 2017 achieved a 100% pass rate in 37 subjects with every Graphic Design student achieving an A* to C grade.

Other subject areas that excelled were French where 87.5% of students secured a grade in that top band and across all sciences and maths 68% of grades were at A* to C.

In a sign that Priestley students met theirs – and their prospective universities’ expectations – only 14 out of more than 600 students had to go through Clearing.

Principal Matthew Grant said the A-Level results followed another set of outstanding BTEC results earlier in the summer when Priestley saw a 100% pass rate in all Extended Diplomas.

“We are very proud of the Class of 2017, they have delivered a tremendous set of results with numerous individual achievements that really stand out,” he said.

“What is pleasing is the success has come across a variety of subjects, everything from the Sciences to Modern Foreign Languages, to English, Computing and Performing Arts.”

Students achieved 160 As and A*s and an impressive 68 students achieved a triple Distinction* in their BTEC results.

Among those who were celebrating was former Lymm High School pupil Sophie Jones whose two A*s and A guaranteed her place at Durham University studying Psychology.

“I want to work in mental health and a career helping people,” she said. “I honestly can’t believe my results today, I had no idea I would do as well as I have.”

Friends Elizabeth Goodrick and Isobel Oldland could not stop smiling as they achieved exactly the same results in the same subjects.

They were both happy to collect a triple Distinction* in Art and Design and an A* in A-Level Photography. Elizabeth and Isobel are now heading to the Manchester School of Art for an Art Foundation course.

“One day I want to run my own fashion business,” said Elizabeth.

Students and staff at Lymm High School are celebrating today, following another excellent set of A’ level results with 33% of all A’ levels were graded at A*/A, with 59% A*-B grades and 85% A*-C. The overall pass rate was over 99%.

Headteacher, Gwyn Williams said:“We are delighted with these results. Last year’s were strong, but the headline figures this year are a good deal higher and, in fact, are the best the school has achieved since at least 2011.

“Most of the exams taken were under the new, reformed A’ level specifications, which are significantly tougher than previous years, and so to be able to post results like this is especially pleasing. Students and staff knew that they would have to work harder than ever to succeed in these new courses and I cannot praise them highly enough for their response to the challenges they faced.”

Five high flying students achieved A* grades in all of the subjects they studied: Francesca Brown, Aoife Davenport, Fan Grayson, Sarah McGrail and Victoria Ramsbottom. There were 16 students who gained at least two A* grades and a total of 26 students who gained straight A* or A grades.

Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Hayley Jennings, said: “It is incredible to see the students getting the rewards for all their hard work over the past couple of years. The vast majority are now off to study at their first choice university, but many others have also been successful in securing high quality apprenticeships, training or jobs. They are such a great group of young people and I want to wish them all the very best as they head off to start the next chapter in their lives.”

Meanwhile Manchester Grammar School student Luke Frampton, 18,  from Lymm, achieved 1A* and both a Distinction One and a Distinction Three.

Luke, who will be studying Geography and Chinese at Durham University, said: “I’m feeling relieved. I didn’t get much sleep last night but I’m over the moon with my results.

“I’ve worked hard so I’m glad it’s paid off. I’m looking forward to starting university in October – I’m excited about the next chapter in my life. I’ve had an amazing time at MGS, I’ve felt very motivated and since joining in Year 9 the support from teachers and peers has been amazing. I’ll be celebrating with friends today and toasting to all our futures.”

 

Students at Barrow Hall College at Great Sankey were celebrating today as the college achieved another fantastic set of results significantly up on last year.

*Over half of all grades were top grades of A*, A and B
*75% of all grades were A* to C
*A quarter of A’level students achieved 3 A*AB grades
*Two thirds of vocational students achieved at least 1 Distinction or Distinction*

Head teacher Paula Crawley said: “I am thrilled to see the hard work of our staff and students continues to pay off. The vast majority of our students got their first choice University and we are really excited for them as they embark on their new adventures.”

Many students were celebrating and there are many success stories; Louise Earnshaw is off to Oxford to study History after achieving A*AAB, Chris Quinn achieved A*AA and is studying Maths at Warwick, Megan Pugh achieved A*A and Distinction* securing a place to study midwifery.

Enrolment for September starts next Thursday and there are still some places available.

 

Birchwood college has also reported “fantastic” BTEC and A level results.

Students achieved 100% pass rate in BTEC subjects, 78% of which were Distinction* to Distinction, with 93% of students attaining at least a Merit in their studies.

BTEC Acting and Music students achieved an amazing 100% pass rate at Distinction* to Distinction, followed closely by BTEC Applied Science at 88% at Distinction* to Distinction and BTEC Health & Social Care at 84%, Distinction* to
Distinction.

At A-Level, a “fantastic” 97% of students achieved a pass between A* and E

Particular A- level successes lay in the following subjects:
Maths, with a 100% pass rate between A* to C.
Biology, where 50% of our students achieved A*to A
and Geography with 50% of students achieving between A* and B

The college was delighted to announce that 71% of their learners met or exceeded their target grade.

Particular Star Achievers include:

Rhian Bland, who achieved 3 As at A-level for Biology, Chemistry and Maths, plus Distinction* in BTEC Music. Rhian will go on to study Biological Sciences at The University of Lancaster.

Luke Allsup achieved an A in A-Level Biology, B in Maths, A* in Extended Project and Distinction*in BTEC Music Composition. Luke will be going to study a BSc in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response at The University of Manchester.

Ellie Fradley, who will be studying LLB Law at The University of Liverpool, achieved B in A-Level Biology, Law and Geography and an A in her Extended Project.

Bobby Hewitt, did extremely well, achieving in A- Level: Biology A, Chemistry B and Geography B. Bobby will be studying Oceanography at Southampton University.

Katie Evans, who moves on to study BA Events Management at Manchester Metropolitan University achieved a fantastic Double Distinction* in BTEC Music and Distinction* in Performing Arts.

Dillon Alcock, who achieved a fantastic Triple Distinction* in BTEC Sport, will be moving on to his dream of studying Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett University.