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A is for awesome! York students excel as A level results come in

Thu 18 Aug

York College students find out their A level results. Photograph: Jim Poyner

Thu 18 Aug 2016  @ 4:01pm
YorkMix
Education

Smart work! York A level students emulated our Team GB Olympians with their awesome set of results on Thursday (August 18).

The city’s talented youngsters, supported brilliantly by their schools, achieved a terrific grade haul.

City of York Council said on Thursday (August 18):

Provisional results for York school sixth forms and York College show that the very high standards of previous years have been maintained and initial results for the city indicate that A level results remain consistently amongst the best in the country.

York school sixth forms – All Saints, Archbishop Holgate’s, Fulford, Huntington and Joseph Rowntree – and York College are reporting strong results with many ‘best ever’ performances.

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Early results for the schools show that across the board young people will be able to get to the universities of their choice, including those applying to Oxbridge universities and medical courses. This strong position is being maintained despite the significant changes to the content and structure of A and AS level courses this year.

Councillor Stuart Rawlings, executive member for education, children and young people, said: “I’d like to congratulate all students from our school sixth forms and York College on their outstanding A level results.

“Their hard work, dedication and commitment have paid off! Well done and good luck for the future.”

Best ever

Some of the record-breaking York College students. Photograph: Jim Poyner
Some of the record-breaking York College students. Photograph: Jim Poyner

York College is celebrating its best ever pass rate of 99.8%. Well over half the students achieved grades A*-B.

Thirty students gained three or more A* or A grades and the college scored a 100 per cent pass rate in 40 A level subjects.

Among the many success stories is top student Samantha Eastwood (formerly of Manor CE School), who achieved four A*s. Samantha will now study computer science at York University.

That same course awaits Caleb Devonport (formerly of Manor CE Academy) who scored three A*s and an A.

Top student Samantha Eastwood. Photograph: Jim Poyner
Top student Samantha Eastwood. Photograph: Jim Poyner

Two York College students are off to Cambridge following their results, Scarlett Barclay (formerly of Fulford School) and Callum Moran (formerly of The Snaith School, Goole). A third, Matthew Pritchard, is going to Oxford.

Principal of York College Dr Alison Birkinshaw said:

This success is down to their sheer hard work and commitment as well as the dedication of everyone at York College.

I am absolutely delighted that the College’s A level results remain well above the national average, particularly at a time when A levels are changing.

Record year

Some happy faces from Archie's. Photograph: Archbishop Holgate's School
Some happy faces from Archie’s. Photograph: Archbishop Holgate’s School

Archbishop Holgate’s School has recorded a record year.

As well as a 100% A level and level 3 BTEC pass rate, 97% of students achieved at least one grade A*-B or equivalent, and 77% of all entries were graded at A*-B or equivalent – both new school records.

Head Andrew Daly hailed the results as “outstanding”:

We are very pleased to see that the commitment and hard work of our students has been rewarded with another set of excellent results, and are incredibly proud of all our students and wish them all the very best for their futures.
A* city… Benjamin Etty
A* city… Benjamin Etty

Among the star performers was Benjamin Etty, who achieved four A* grades and is off to Oxford University to study history and economics.

Jade Boughton got three As and an A* and will study marine biology at Liverpool University.

Alexis Green-Harding, head of sixth form said: “We are absolutely thrilled for them and we are grateful for all of their contributions to the school and local community. They have embodied the school’s values throughout their time with us and have been excellent role models.”

Students have excelled

At All Saints RC School headteacher Bill Scriven said the results added to an excellent year, coming after the school’s Outstanding rating by Ofsted.

He said:

Approaching half of this year group have joined our sixth form from a variety of different schools. The way they came together and formed such a vibrant new community was truly amazing.

They are such a hardworking, mutually supportive and outward looking group of young people.

I have no doubt that this cohort will produce many leaders of the future who will make a real difference in society.

All Saints recorded its largest number of students achieving three or four A/A* grades “but also students who have only just managed to get their university places through sheer determination and commitment.

“As always there are many students that have had to overcome a range of very difficult challenges and their stories are really humbling.”

Intense scrutiny

Huntington School students celebrate: Andrew Gladders, 3 A* grades and 2 A grades, Going to train to be a pilot; Miranda King, 3 A* grades and 2 A grades Uni of Dundee; Haris Lloyd 5A Uni of York to study Politics; Holly Blackburn, 1 A*grade and 2 A grades, Gap Year for work experience; Chloe Smallwood A* grade and 2 A grades, Uni of Warwick to study Law; Chloe Hemsley 3 A* grades and 3 A grades Oxford Uni to study English Lit and Language; Mark Holmes 1 A* grade and 2 A grades Bath Uni
Huntington School students celebrate: Andrew Gladders, 3 A* grades and 2 A grades, Going to train to be a pilot; Miranda King, 3 A* grades and 2 A grades Uni of Dundee; Haris Lloyd 5A Uni of York to study Politics; Holly Blackburn, 1 A*grade and 2 A grades, Gap Year for work experience; Chloe Smallwood A* grade and 2 A grades, Uni of Warwick to study Law; Chloe Hemsley 3 A* grades and 3 A grades Oxford Uni to study English Lit and Language; Mark Holmes 1 A* grade and 2 A grades Bath Uni. Photograph: Huntington School

“The turbulence in the examination system hasn’t affected our students one bit,” said head of Huntington School John Tomsett.

“That is because they have worked hard and been taught well – the age-old formula for academic success. I’m delighted for everyone involved – staff, parents, governors and especially our brilliant students.”

The school’s students scored a 99% pass rate, with 57% of the grades at A*, A and B.

Among the individual success stories were Chloe Hemsley and Amy Small, who both achieved three A* grades and three A grades and each gained a place at Oxford University.

Andrew Gladders and Miranda King both got three A* grades and 2 A grades.

Star performers: Chloe Hemsley and Imogen Brown. Photograph: Huntington School
Star performers: Chloe Hemsley and Imogen Brown. Photograph: Huntington School

Chris Hardwell, Huntington director of sixth form, said it was “great to see so many smiling faces as they picked up their results,” adding:

At a time when young people are under intense scrutiny and pressure, our students are achieving at the highest level.

This is down to the hard work of our students, the high standard of teaching and the excellent relationships between staff and students.

Particularly impressive

Fulford School‘s A level and BTEC results saw 65.8% of grades achieved at A*-B or equivalent, with students achieving an average grade B across all entries.

Head Lorna Savage said the vast majority of students have had their first choice of university places confirmed, with all Fulford’s Oxbridge candidates and medics succeeding in their applications.

She said:

This is a great achievement and it reflects the hard work and talent of our students and the excellent support offered by their families and by our staff.

These results are particularly impressive given the major changes and the challenging national backdrop in education at present.

At Joseph Rowntree School A* grades were achieved across the curriculum, with a 100% pass rate.

Head of sixth form Sarah Billinge said:

The success of our students is testament to the hard work of the whole school community, and we are very proud to be able to celebrate their achievements.

Congratulations go to all our students and we wish them the very best of luck for the future.


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