Record intake adds to memorable year (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Record intake adds to memorable year

IT has been a memorable year for pupils and staff at Salisbury's Wyvern College, principal Glynis Seddon told guests at the college's prize-giving ceremony.

More than 100 prizewinners, supported by their family and friends, attended the ceremony in the City Hall on Thursday evening, joining guests who included the Adjutant General of the British Army, Lieutenant General Freddie Viggers.

In her report on the 2004-5 academic year, the principal said it had opened with the highest number of pupils ever.

A total of 680 boys chose the college to continue their education, coming from more than 30 primary schools in the area.

In this year's GCSE exams, Wyvern College improved standards by three per cent.

Of the boys who completed their GCSEs, 43 per cent gained five A* to C grades with the top eight per cent of boys gaining ten or more A* to C grades. Jonathan Stokes gained 11 A* to C grades and ten A* to C grades were achieved by Jonathan Marsh, Ben Ede, Stuart Findlay, Robert Larcombe, Christopher Fountain, Joe Francis, Adam Herridge and Jon Kilbride.

Mrs Seddon praised several outstanding departmental results, all of which were above the national average. They included business studies, English Literature, statistics, history, RE and PE.

Looking to the future, Mrs Seddon said the college buildings are ready for renewal and plans are still under way for a rebuild.

She praised pupils and staff of all departments for their work "often in difficult circumstances and in less than pristine buildings".