We are once again celebrating success, as 2017 proves to be another year for outstanding A level results at the College.  Following a period of qualification reforms intended to increase the difficulty of the A level qualification, students from the College are celebrating a 99.2% pass rate, equalling last year’s extraordinary achievements.

Principal, Simon Jarvis said, “This is yet another set of stellar exam results! Our students have gained brilliant grades: a fitting reward for talent backed by sheer hard work. With the support and guidance of exceptional teaching, they have been inspired to achieve success in every area of the curriculum: across sciences, the arts and in the humanities.

Our 99.2% pass rate - incredibly on a par with last year’s sector leading results -  spanning such a wide range of subjects, is particularly impressive because it has been achieved by one of the largest sixth form cohorts in the country.“

Almost a third of all A level grades were awarded at the highest grades of either A* or A, over 4% above the national average, with almost 85% of A2 taught courses graded A* to C.

Five students distinguished themselves by receiving four A* grades: Samuel Haslam, who will take up a place at Oxford to read Mathematics; Robert Penman, moving on to read Physics also at Oxford; Emily Hillan and Thomas Hammond, both taking up places to read Natural Sciences at Cambridge and Harry Orrin who will be taking Biochemistry at Oxford.  Six other College students were awarded A* grades in three different A level subjects plus a grade A in a fourth: Hermione Blakiston (intending to read Physics at Exeter); Leo Chapman (Maths at Bath); Amber Li (History of Art at Cambridge); Katherine Humphrey (English Language and Literature at Oxford); Jack Tyler (Physics at Southampton) and Drapan Rai. 

Mr Jarvis commented, “These remarkable young people are superstars.  We are proud of their extraordinary accomplishments as indeed we are about all of our students receiving results this week.

A levels are tough – it is as hard to achieve these high pass grades as it has ever been.  Subjects have been made more difficult in the past few years during which we have responded to major changes to all subject specifications. 

In spite of the turbulence, students and their teachers have focused on success.  I’m thrilled that this year’s cohort of able young people now have such exciting opportunities ahead of them.”