PHOTOS: Schools and colleges celebrate success on A-level results day

STUDENTS across the New Forest and Christchurch are finding out their A-level results today (Thursday) with some top achievers gaining excellent grades.

Provisional results for Hampshire as a whole indicated that the average A-level grade had moved up to a B-minus from a C-plus in 2018.

Brockenhurst College

HAPPY Brockenhurst College students were jumping for joy after securing an overall pass rate of 97% in their A-levels.

In total 40% achieved A*-B grades, nearly two-thirds got A*-C grades across all subjects, and there was a 100% pass rate in all 23 A-level subjects.

The college’s business students also performed well, with 19 at Level 3 earning three high distinction marks. Nearly a third of Level 3 engineering students got the same grades, while almost a third of sports and exercise students got three distinctions.

Among the top performers was Lee Turner, with three high distinctions in the engineering Level 3 extended diploma. “I feel ecstatic with my results,” he said. “Two years of hard work has really paid off.”

Overall more than 70% A*-B grades were achieved in further maths, philosophy, sociology, dance, drama and theatre studies, French, fine art, graphics and textiles.

Vocational course students again collectively achieved a 100% pass rate, with 48% getting a triple high distinction or a triple distinction – the equivalent to achieving three A*/A grades at A-level.

In Level 3 performing arts, 95% of students achieved a triple high distinction or triple distinction, with 50% securing the highest possible grades.

Principal Di Roberts said: “I am delighted yet again with our A-level and vocational results and I am tremendously proud of our students’ achievements.”

Arnewood School

THERE was another set of excellent A-level results at Arnewood School, with students scoring substantially above the national average.

More than 40% achieved A* to B grades and among the best performers was Victoria Primmer who in creative digital media achieved a distinction* – a grade above the standard distinction and only awarded to a very few people nationwide.

With her As for history and maths, Victoria will study computer games technology at Portsmouth University.

Kaylyn Snellgrove received an A* in maths, and an A in physics and chemistry. Brother Jonathon scored As in maths and computer science and a B in further maths.

Other high achievers included include Massimiliano Bocchio, with an A* in Italian, two As in German and history and Bs in government and politics, and English language.

Matilde Pedergnana also gained five A-levels with an A* in maths, an A in further maths and Bs in physics, Italian and psychology.

Headteacher Nigel Pressnell said: “I am delighted that the students’ hard work, together with the dedication of their teachers, has allowed them to progress from the Arnewood School Sixth Form to follow their dreams and ambitions.”

Highcliffe School

AT Highcliffe School 27% of all A-level grades achieved were the highest A*/A or Distinction*/Distinction.

In 31 subjects the pass rate was 100% and 59% of all grades achieved were the top A* to B or equivalent. Additionally, 82% of all grades were A*/A/B/C or equivalent.

There was a particularly strong showing in A-level art and design, A-level Spanish, music BTEC and EPQ where 100% of all grades were A* to B. In A-level textiles 80% of students also received A*-B grades.

Head of sixth form Lisa Swan said: “I am delighted with the results achieved by our students and I wish to extend our thanks to them all and their parents for continuing the Highcliffe outstanding A-level tradition.

“Our BTEC students, all of whom are on advanced programmes, have achieved some of the very best grades possible. We wish them all well in the next stage of their careers.”

Headteacher Patrick Earnshaw said: “Highcliffe’s very strong reputation for academic excellence and for successfully placing students on top courses is the result of the commitment of our talented staff who offer rigorous teaching and academic support, combined with strong links with universities and employers, and loyal and supportive parents.”

Ringwood School

STUDENTS at Ringwood School matched last year’s A-level performances with the percentage of grades A*-B at 55% and an overall pass rate of 100%.

The school reported the proportion of A*-C grades as 84% – up on 80% last year – with the average grade as B- once again.

It said early calculations suggested that the school has retained an “outstanding” rating from ALPs – a national progress measure for A-level – to put it in the top 10% of post-16 providers nationally.

In maths, the school’s most popular A-level, the A*-B rate was well above the school average with 89% of students attaining A*-B. Further maths again secured 100% A*-B.

Modern foreign languages performed very well this year with 100% of Spanish and German A-level grades at A*-B.

All students on the BTEC double production arts achieved at least two distinctions, and 57% of the class secured a double distinction star. There were 62% who attained a distinction star in OCR Sport Level 3 and 88.5% of the media cohort secured a distinction or distinction star.

Eleven students secured at least three grades at A*/A and 37 students (28%) secured at least two grade A*-As.

A school spokesperson said: “Ringwood School students are reaping the rewards of their hard work and commitment to their studies as they receive their A-Level results today.

“It has been a pleasure to greet students this morning as they came into school to collect their results. All students have been keen to share their successes with their teachers and all echoed their thanks to the staff who have guided them through their courses over the last two years.”

St Peter's School

A NUMBER of local teenagers attend St Peter’s School in St Catherine’s Road, Bournemouth, where it was the last results day for outgoing headteacher David Todd.

There were marginal improvements as the proportion of grades awarded A or equivalent and above this year was 22% – up 2% on last year). For B grades and above it was 51% (up 2%), and for C and above was 75% (up 1%).

Mr Todd said: “I would like to congratulate our students and staff on the excellent results this year which continue our trend of year on year improvement.

Incoming headteacher Ben Doyle added: “I feel immensely privileged to be taking over the leadership of this great school which is blessed with an incredibly gifted body of students who are inspired by such dedicated and skilled staff.

“These results are testament to the strong ethos and work ethic we have here at St Peter’s.”