August 14, 2014 3.30 pm This story is over 114 months old

Lincoln A Level students deliver record-breaking results

Flying colours: A Level and AS Level results were revealed to tentative students across Lincolnshire on Thursday, August 14, and some Lincoln schools celebrated record-breaking figures.

A Level and AS Level results were revealed to tentative students across Lincolnshire on Thursday, August 14, and some Lincoln schools celebrated record-breaking figures.

Despite the first drop in the national pass rate in 32 years, A Level results from 37 out of 38 Lincoln shire schools show an increase in higher level passes.

Some 12 schools in the county are celebrating 100% pass rates and provisional indications show a 98.6% Lincolnshire pass rate, beating the nation figure by 0.6%.

The highest grade of A* was achieved in 7.8% of entries, an increase of 0.7% on last year. This compares to a national figure of 8.2% (an increase of 0.6% on last year).

Many students in Lincolnshire also follow courses that are equivalent to A-levels alongside their traditional A-levels or as an alternative to them.

Although no national comparators exist, initial reports from schools show that the overall pass rate has increased by 0.7% when these results are added in.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “I am immensely proud that almost all A Level students in Lincolnshire have successfully passed their exams.

“Students put a lot of work into their studies over an intense two year period and it has really paid off. I know that they would all want me to extend their thanks to their teachers, parents and carers for supporting them so well.”

Here are just a few of the city’s success stories:

Lincoln College

The percentage of final year students achieving grades A* to E is now 98% at Lincoln College, while the number of students getting A* to C is 64%.

Vice Principal Gordon Gillespie said: “We’re delighted that the pass rate at Lincoln College has gone up once again to 98%,” said Gordon.

“I would like to congratulate both our AS and A Level students who have done fantastically well and have done themselves, their families and the college proud.

“Of course there will be some students who haven’t got the grades they wanted and I would urge them to get in touch with our careers advisers who will be able to talk to them about their next steps.

“Although it might feel like it it’s not the end of the world and they may still be able to gain a place at university through Clearing. We certainly have places available on our Higher Education courses as well as apprenticeships for those who would rather earn while they learn.”

One student, Martha O’Toole, gained As in Law, Sociology and English Language and will study Law at the University of Nottingham.

She said: “My teachers helped a lot with my studies but I think the main reason for my success was that the Library was open so late, I spent most nights in there till 7pm from September onwards last year!

“My advice to students thinking of doing their A-Levels next year is work hard because it pays off!”

Lincoln Minster School

Students from Lincoln Minster School celebrated record A Level and AS level results.

Students from Lincoln Minster School celebrated record A Level and AS level results.

Lincoln Minster School is marking up the best ever collective A Level and AS Level results. The Year 13 cohort achieved a pass rate of 99%, 15% of grades at A*; 40% A*-A; 65% A*-B and 85% A*-C.

The school’s Principal, Clive Rickart, said: “The whole school community is thrilled and congratulations are due to pupils and teachers for their dedication, persistence and hard work, and to families and friends for their support. ”

Former Head Girl Olivia McMorran has been accepted by Bristol University to study English and Philosophy. She said: “I needed three As but am ecstatic to have three A*s!”

Sam Gelder will be reading MORSE – Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics – at Warwick, having also achieved three A*s. Proud mum Wendy said: “Lincoln Minster School has been the right choice for Sam, he has been incredibly well supported and his achievement is just fantastic. We couldn’t be happier!”

Jamie Freckelton will be travelling to Loughborough in September to study Engineering, thanks to his A*, A, and A grades.

Elliot Crouch’s A, A, B has secured his first choice place to read Maths. He said: “I’m really happy, my time at Minster has been great and I can really look forward now to the next stage and starting university!”

William Farr School

(L-R) Straight A students Laura, Chloe, Alex and Emily. All smiles as they celebrate their results.

(L-R) Straight A students Laura, Chloe, Alex and Emily. All smiles as they celebrate their results.

Staff and pupils at William Farr School in Lincoln are also celebrating the institution’s best ever set of A Level results.

A third of all exams sat by the 133 sixth formers resulted in A and A* grades, the highest level since the sixth form began 19 years ago.

For the first time, pupils hit 100% pass rate for all the 382 A Levels entered.

More than 60% of pupils achieved A*-B grades and more than one in ten pupil results achieved were at A*, the highest level since the exam grade was introduced in 2010.

Among the students celebrating a record-breaking set of results were Laura Martin (three A* and two As), Chloe Jacklin (three A* and two As), Alex Dalton (two A* and two As) and Emily Bridgwood (two A* and an A).

Laura will be going to Durham to study Maths and Chemistry and Chloe has secured a place at Oxford to study Medicine. Chloe, the first in her family to go to university, hopes to go on to become a surgeon.

Alex will now go onto Bristol University to study Computer Science and Emily will join Laura at Durham to study Geography. She hopes to do charity work in different countries after university.

The school’s Head Teacher Andy Stones said: “The results this year are absolutely outstanding – on almost every measure we have exceeded all our previous records for achievement and we are proud and delighted.”

Sir Robert Pattinson Academy

A Level achievers Hannah Mumby and  Oliver Clifton from Sir Robert Pattinson Academy.

A Level achievers Hannah McMahon and Oliver Clifton from Sir Robert Pattinson Academy.

Another school commending its students and staff for record-breaking results is Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, which is part of the North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form.

This year’s record A-level results saw A*-C grades account for 69% of the marks.

The sixth form recorded a pass rate in excess of 98% and six Sir Robert Pattinson students achieved straight A grades.

After achieving top marks, student Hannah McMahon is taking her first steps towards a career in pharmaceuticals at the University of York. She said: “I got A*s in chemistry and biology and an A in maths – I had been hoping for AAB, so I am absolutely over-the-moon.”

Oliver Clifton performed better than he expected in his exams with A* grades in biology and chemistry and an A in physics.

Oliver said: “I had got a place to study pharmacy but my results were better than I had hoped for, so I guess I’ve got a few more options open to me now which is brilliant.”

Danielle Mumby got A grades in maths and physics and an A* in graphics. She will study engineering at the University of Nottingham.

She said: “I am totally elated, It’s been massively hard work but it has definitely paid off.”

Sir Robert Pattinson Academy Head Teacher Helen Renard said: “We are really delighted with this year’s excellent results and congratulations to all students on their achievements.”

North Kesteven School

Year 13 students from North Kesteven School, also part of the North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form, are celebrating their exam successes.

Some three students from the school were accepted onto their places at Oxbridge and a number of departments celebrated 100% pass rates.

The school are particularly proud of their drama department, which has been rated third in a National Study for Excellence at A Level.

Among the NKS leavers were six students achieving straight A grades.

High performing students Jack Dexter, Brandon Lowe, Charlotte Ellis, Chloe Astelford, Amy Lingard, Melieha Long, Livvy Chambers, Nicola Baddon and Rob Glithero were praised for their hard work and congratulated on acheiving university places.

Martin Connor, Head Teacher at North Kesteven School said: “We are very proud of all the students in the North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form and it is great to see them receive their results and be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to their studies.”

Branston Community Academy

A Level Students at Branston Community Academy are on a high as they celebrate a pass rate of nearly 99%.

More than one in every three exams sat by the schools Year 13 cohort achieved an A* or A grade and overall 83.7% of pupils achieved grads A* to C.

Among those students who secured top grades were Jack Willey (A* and two As), Robert Clark (four As and one B) and Lorna Syed (A* and two As).

Head Teacher Peter Beighton said: “We are really delighted for the students. It’s easy to fall into the trap of looking at lots of numbers on a spreadsheet but each of these grades, wherever they are on the scale, represents a huge achievement.”

“I know all of our students will go onto great things and we wish them every success for the future.”