It's a double celebration (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

It's a double celebration

Twins Rachel and Jacqui Folkes, 18, go wild after their A and B grades at Matravers School, Westbury (17455/1)A-LEVEL RESULTS: The Folkes family in Westbury had double the reason to celebrate when twins Jacqui and Rachel achieved five A grades and a B between them.

The 18-year-olds, who live in Lanhams Close and attend Matravers School, will be going to Southampton University in October.

Rachel gained A grades in geography, chemistry and biology and will be studying for a degree in geography.

She said: "I chose geography because I really enjoyed the lessons in school.

"Jacqui and I will hopefully be living in different halls. We've been together all through school so it may be a bit strange for a while going to different classes and living in different places."

Her sister Jacqui achieved A grades in history and chemistry and a B in biology and will be studying physiology.

She said: "I was very happy when I got my results. I was obviously hopeful but I wasn't really sure how I'd do. I needed the grades to be good to get into the university."

Overall, Matravers School achieved their best ever results with a 98 per cent pass rate and 64 per cent of students gaining A-C grades.

Star performance was from Alex Jones who gained three A grades and a B.

New headteacher Chris Dark, who is due to start in September, was delighted with all the students' achievements.

He said: "I feel like I'm taking over piloting a plane that's taking off and landing at the same time. These results are a real credit to the students and teachers who have put in the hard work."

Star performer Vicky Syrett was top of the tree at Kingdown Community School this year with four A grades.

Vicky, from Broxburn Road, Warminster, gained top marks in geography, art and AVCE art, which counts as two A-levels, and will now spend a gap year looking after children at a boarding school in Shaftesbury.

Vicky, 18, who is the youngest of four sisters, said her family was desperate to find out how she had done.

She said: "My sisters all called to say they wanted to be the first to know my results. They were all really pleased when I told over the phone.

"I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Kingdown School who have been fantastic."

Kingdown headteacher Sheelagh Brown said she was "very pleased" for Vicky and was equally proud of all her students after the school achieved a 97 per cent pass rate.

See this week's Wiltshire Times for full west Wiltshire A-level results