A-levels 2011: Record-breaking results for exceptional students

THOUSANDS of students across Staffordshire and Cheshire were celebrating today after achieving record-breaking A-level results.

Overall this year, the pass rate rose for the 29th year in a row, with 97.8 per cent of A-level entries receiving at least an E – up from 97.6 per cent last summer.

The brightest students have made the biggest gains this summer. In total, 8.2 per cent of entries were awarded an A* this year, up 0.1 percentage points from 8.1 per cent last year, the first year the grade was introduced.

To achieve this super-grade, a student has to get at least 90 per cent in the final year of an A-level course. A growing number of universities are now demanding A*s from candidates applying for the most hotly-contested degree places.

Overall, more than 27 per cent of all A-level entries are expected to have been graded A or above today. But the independent sector has still claimed the lion's share of top marks.

At Stafford Grammar School, 19 per cent of the grades have been A*s. Star students include Lizzie Egan, with four A*s. And for twins Emily and Rebecca Cooper, it was a photo finish – they each got an A*, an A and a B.

At Newcastle-under-Lyme School, 14.2 per cent of all A-levels have been achieved at A* and 44.7 per cent at A or above. Out of 83 students, 27 teenagers managed to get As or A*s in three or more subjects.

Head Nick Rugg said: "There are some outstanding results. I am delighted for the students as they have worked so hard."

In the state sector, many schools and colleges are also celebrating a bumper crop of A-level results.

At Westwood College, in Leek, six per cent of young people's grades have been A*s and more than half have been achieved at the A* to B range. Executive headteacher Keith Hollins said: "They have been the best results ever."

Two Westwood teenagers are now heading to Cambridge University. Eighteen-year-old Daniel Brookes, who achieved four A*s in his A-levels, will be doing engineering. While Jo Collins, who gained three A*s and one A, will be studying natural sciences.

At St Joseph's College, in Trent Vale, eight per cent of all students' grades were A*s today and 62 per cent were achieved at A* to B. Headteacher Roisin Maguire, pictured far right, said there have been some exceptional performances. But 25 students at the school were affected by an error in a physics A-level paper, where one of the questions proved impossible to answer.

It was among a series of mistakes made by exam boards this year, triggering an inquiry by exams regulator Ofqual and leading to some candidates being given extra marks to prevent them being disadvantaged.

But Ms Maguire said it could still have had an impact on young people's overall physics grades because it knocked their confidence in the exam. "They are going to allow us to see our scripts. We will be going through them with a fine tooth comb," she added.

Elsewhere in North Staffordshire, results have been less controversial. At Newcastle College, students have chalked up a total of 128 A* and A grades. Maths has been the strongest subject this year, with almost six out of 10 students achieving a B or above.

It was a family affair today at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, where 18-year-old Hannah Bradbury, from Basford, and her younger brother Jack, pictured far left, were both picking up exam results.

Hannah has gained a run of top A-level grades in maths, psychology and biology. While 17-year-old Jack has achieved AS-levels in religious studies, psychology, history and biology.

Hannah, who is planning to study maths at Nottingham University, said: "Maths is definitely my strongest subject. When you've got a problem, I like the challenge of having to solve it."

Despite there being only a year's age difference between the siblings, they will be charged different amounts for their higher education.

Jack is set to be among the first students to be saddled with fees of up to £9,000-a-year when he applies next year. But Hannah is still covered by the old fees regime and will be charged £3,375-a-year.

Jack said: "She is quite lucky. I've been caught in the middle of all the changes. I feel a bit cheated in a way. But I'd still like to go to university."

One of this year's growing trends has been young people doing extended projects alongside their main A-levels. These are worth the equivalent of an AS-level. It can involve writing a 5,000-word dissertation, making a film or composing a piece of music, or even creating an artefact.

At Malbank School, in Nantwich, seven out of 14 students who undertook extended projects have gained A*s.

Headteacher Jeannette Walker said: "It's a great credit to them. They are allowed to choose the topic.

"It can be anything from researching the history of the little black dress through to the impact of healthy eating on primary school results."

At Alsager School, more than half of students' A-level grades have been achieved at A* to B. High performers include Tony Boardman and Catherine Turner, who both gained two A*s and an A.

Alongside his studies, Tony is also known locally for playing in the band The Flares.

At South Cheshire College, half of all students' grades have been achieved at the A* to B range. And there has been a significant increase in A*s, with 43 of its 961 A-level entries netting this super-grade.

But it isn't just A-level students celebrating today. There have also been notable successes in vocational qualifications.

Emma Hewson has completed an advanced apprenticeship in childcare through Leek College, which included a placement at St Leonard's First School, in Ipstones. The 18-year-old, from Ipstones, has now landed a place at Keele University to study children's nursing.

She said: "When I heard there were so many applicants for the course at Keele, and only 200 got interviewed for just 20 paediatric places, I felt proud to be accepted."

Emma's degree will include spending time on hospital wards and in accident and emergency. She has never been fazed by emergencies. "My dad's a fireman and I've helped out at the fire station when they practise on mock car crashes," she added.

More of our coverage of the A-levels 2011:

A-levels 2011: Frequently asked questions

A-level results 2011: Reaction from Twitter

'I found university offers were very high this year – we are being held to ransom'

High-fliers get good experience

A-levels 2011: 'Place at university not be-all and end-all for success' - John Caudwell

Westwood College students deliver best-ever results

Leek schools celebrating as results are released

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