Crunch time is here for A-level students
The wait was over for thousands of students today as they collected their A-level results.
Around one-in-four pupils across the country were expected to receive top grades.
It was also predicted that once again boys were likely to outperform girls in terms of A*s – with one expert suggesting that they will have closed the gap with their female classmates at the A grade boundary.
Last year, a quarter of A-level entries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, were awarded an A* or A, compared to 25.9 per cent the year before, and 27 per cent five years ago.
There were jubilant scenes at Wolverhampton Grammar School today. It was a clean sweep of passes in 23 subjects with more than a third of 90 Upper Sixth Form pupils achieving the coveted A* or A grades.
Headteacher Kathy Crewe-Read said: “Competition for places on competitive university courses remains fierce and schools like ours work hard to ensure an excellent student experience.
“Our students have successfully gained places on a range of excellent courses.”
Delighted pupils included Govind Randhawa, from Goldthorn Park, who picked up four A*s, Hattie Barber, from Kinver, got two A*s and an A, Daniel Adams, from Enville, achieved an A* and two As, and Sam Cartwright, from Trysull, earned an A and two Bs.
Also celebrating was Anmoldeep Singh, from Fallings Park, who got four As, Sam Wootton, from Pattingham, who achieved an A* and two As, Jake Sidhu, from Wednesfield, and Gen Hoffman from Merry Hill, who both got two A*s and an A, and Nimesh Patel from Goldthorn Park with three As.
There were also plenty of smiles at Stafford Grammar School where there was a 100 per cent pass rate. Headteacher Michael Darley said he was delighted that 69.3 per cent of all results were at A* to B grades.
Top marks went to Caitlin Coyle with three A* grades, Chris Becker, Smita Khilar and Patrick Lavelle, who achieved two A*s and a A, and Rebecca Deakin and Rebecca Edgington who earned an A* and two As.
Mr Darley said: “Everybody associated with Stafford Grammar School is proud of the achievements of all of our students as they now prepare for the next exciting chapter of their lives as the vast majority will proceed to university.
"In many cases the real success stories are where potential D and E grades are turned into B grades through sustained hard work and excellent teaching. “
