There were hugs and cheers as the class of 2014 collected their A Level results at St John’s School in Marlborough this morning (Thursday).
Staff and pupils were celebrating another great batch of results, with nearly a quarter (24 percent) of all grades at A* or A.
This year also saw a record average point score, and 10 students – Chris Baker, Holly Bate, David Cope, Jamie Creswell, Polly Howard, Claire James, Hannah Morris, Izzy Payne, Robert Van Den Bergh, and Marcus Warner – gained all A and A* grades.
Claire James will be going to Trinity College, Oxford having gained A* grades in history, English literature and politics and an A in biology.
“It’s even better than I was expecting,” said Claire, who needed three As to get into Trinity, and fancies a career in law or politics in the future.
David Cope, who received an A* in English literature and As in English language and psychology is considering Oxford, having waited until the results came out before applying to any University, with the aim of studying English Literature.
But first, he’ll be taking a year out to teach English to primary school children in Tanzania.
“It’s a relief,” said David, who hopes to follow a career in marketing or copywriting. “I worked very, very hard for this.”
Hayley Collis got the the grades she needed to set her on a career path towards becoming a heart specialist.
Her A*s in biology and food, along with Bs in chemistry and geography have won her a place at Swansea to study cardiac physiology.
And Chris Baker faces a dilema, as his three As in English literature, English language and theatre studies have guaranteed him a place studying English literature at Sussex, or a foundation course in acting at Read College, Reading.
“I was hoping the results would make the decision for me,” said Chris, who wasn’t expecting his clutch of A grades. “Now I have a tough decision to make.”
There was also good news for a group of students who retook their final year, having not got the grades they wanted last year.
Jeremy Morgan got the results in maths and physics that he needed to win him a place at Winchester studying sport science. Aidan Good will be off to Plymouth to study geography after passing geography, environmental science, and English language.
Joseph Diddams is off to the University of South Wales in Cardiff to study chemistry, having got his grades in maths, physics and chemistry, and Grace Ahmed will be studying performing arts at the University of Gloucestershire with her Bs in drama and graphic design, and Cs in psychology and Spanish.
There were also excellent results for Year 12 students, with 90 percent of pupils passing their AS exams. Top achievers included Harry Morgan, Annabel Nichols, Oscar Palmer, Rachel Patel, and Joey Smith, who all won four A grades.
Meanwhile, Head Girl Freya Lewis was celebrating As in German, English language and maths, and a B in politics at AS Level. She’ll be following the same subjects through A Levels next year, with aspirations to go into political journalism.
And results for the International Baccalaureate were similarly successful, with seven students achieving 37 or 38 points – the equivalent of A* and A grades at A Level – and an average point score of 31, which was significantly above the national average.
“We are delighted that our students have, once again, achieved outstanding results,” said vice principal Miles Whittaker.
“We are, of course, equally proud of all the students who, with the help and support of their parents and teachers, have achieved beyond expectations.
“We wish them every success in the next stage of their lives.”
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