There were lots of smiling faces this morning as A & AS Level students came into the new College to receive their exam results.

2010 saw another year of ‘A’ level results which has led to a large number of students going onto Further education and paving the way for their chosen careers.

There were plenty of individual successes including three students gaining the new A* grade, introduced for ‘A’ levels this academic year. Thomas Hunt gained an A* in Design & Technology, Stacey New in Sociology and Jamie Smith gained the top grade in English Literature. In addition to the A* grade, Thomas also gained As in Mathematics, Physics and AS Music Technology. Stacey also achieved two further A grades in Geography and Psychology. Christopher Hyland also produced 3As in English Literature, Biology and History.

Veronica Matthews, Principal said ‘we have had a good results morning – most students have now secured their preferred university courses in spite of what we understand to be the national picture. The results are a reflection of the dedication of staff and students and the support and encouragement of parents and carers. We are very proud of them and what they have achieved and wish them all well for the future’.

Patrick Neill, Head of Sixth Form added ‘despite the hard economic backdrop and the well publicised difficulties in gaining university places this year it has been a very successful day. The majority of our students have achieved the grades required to go to their first choice destination and study their chosen course.

Please note: It has been difficult to give exact figures relating to how well all our results went as there is an issue with Law results which is affecting a number of students. We will of course publish an update as soon as this issue is rectified by the exam board.

Nationally one in 12 A-level exams (8%) was awarded the new A* grade as pupils scored another record-breaking year of results. Some 27% of entries gained an A or A* amid a record battle for university places, results show. The overall pass rate rose for the 28th year in a row, with 97.6% of entries awarded at least an E, up from 97.5%. Some 660,000 students have applied to university this year. In 2009 just 482,000 students got places. More places are on offer this year, but places are capped and universities are fined for over-recruiting. (Source BBC News)