School’s pride at record number of star students
STUART PIKE AND ALEX SCAPENS freepressnews@menmedia.co.uk @RossFreePress
VALLEY students enjoyed some fine grades as those long awaited A Level result envelopes were finally opened.
Alder Grange Sixth Form, ag6, reported a record number of students gaining A and A* grades. Ninety-seven per cent of students passed at least one, with 91 per cent achieving two or more passes.
Headteacher David Hampson said: “This is another excellent set of A Level results from Alder Grange students and reflect their dedication and the outstanding levels of support provided by our teaching staff.
“It’s good to see that the A*s have come in a wide spread of subjects - biology, maths, chemistry, English language and English literature - and the results in core subjects like Maths, English and the sciences are particularly strong.
“The results mean that the vast majority of students have the university place of their choice – which again underlines what a talented and hardworking group they are. I’m really proud of them.”
At Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, the percentage of students achieving the top grades of A* to B was 63 per cent. The overall achievement at A*/A was 35 per cent.
Forty students achieved the excellent standard of three or more passes at grade A*/ A. This constitutes 20 per cent of the year group, while 10 students achieved three A* with four of these receiving four A*/ As.
At least three BRGS students will be continuing their studies at Oxbridge with ten students pursuing studies in medicine, veterinary science and dentistry.
Headteacher Alan Porteous said: “Congratulations to all of our year 13 students who receive their A Level results today. At a time of continuing significant change in qualifications, these results reflect the hard work and commitment of our students and of the staff who have prepared them for these examinations. We wish our students well as they move on to the next stage of their journey, whether to further study at university, higher level apprenticeships, or into employment.”
Nationally the proportion of A Level entries awarded top grades soared to its highest level for six years, with more than one in four gaining an A or A*, although there was a slight drop in the percentage of A* grades.
Haslingden High School saw a 98 per cent pass rate for A* to E grades and 50 per cent of exam results were A* to B.
Headteacher Mark Jackson said: “Because students will know if they got into their first choice university they have a good idea of their grades so you lose some of the excitement of the day. But they have worked hard and responded really well so it’s great to see them achieve.”
The results come after a major overhaul of the qualifications in England with AS Levels hived off to form a standalone qualification and a move away from coursework and modular exams.