Joy as staff and studentscelebrate record results

At Dauntsey's School, in West Lavington, 72.1 per cent of the 359 subject entries from the school's 118-strong upper sixth were rewarded with an A or B grade and more than 90 per cent were passed at A, B or C grades.

Head boy Sam Dickinson and head girl Gwendolen Martin led the field with a clean sweep of A grades. They were not alone.

Peter Budge's three As will enable him to study engineering at Jesus College, Cambridge, while Katy Venn, who hopes to study veterinary science at Glasgow University, also got three A passes.

So did James Amor, who is going to Southampton University to study computer science and Jo Smart, who will go to Leeds University to study English literature.

Jack Williams got four As maths, further maths, physics and chemistry are more than adequate to get him into Warwick University to study maths and physics.

Alastair McIntosh clinched two As and a B to get him into Imperial College, London, to study chemistry.

Sam Awdry only required three D grades to get him into the leisure and sport course at Cardiff but he got an A and two C grades.

Last Thursday AS-level students also learned their fates and Natalie Russell from Great Cheverell was delighted to find out she had five passes at A grade. She came to Dauntsey's from nearby Lavington School, a state school which does not have a sixth form, where she had earned seven A* GCSEs last year.

Her mother Jen said: "This is as much an accolade for Lavington School as it is for Dauntsey's and we are absolutely delighted for Natalie. She has worked hard for it and deserves her success."

Headteacher Stewart Roberts said of all his pupils' successes: "These good results reflect the exceptional hard work and commitment from both the staff and pupils."

At Devizes School, headteacher Malcolm Irons said he and his staff were delighted with their A-level pass rate of 96 per cent, which exceeded the national average.

Mr Irons said: "Success in both academic and vocational subjects has contributed to this very good set of results.

"Contrary to the criticism in the national press, Devizes students have succeeded especially well in the traditional "tougher" subjects, such as science, mathematics and English.

"There are many students worthy of a special mention but Ben Firth with a set of straight A grades in maths, physics and chemistry has done especially well this year."

Mr Irons also said that the relatively new vocational courses in business studies, information and communications technology, and health and social care have produced some outstanding successes for his students.

He said: "It is an area that is targeted to grow over the next few years at Devizes School as it expands and improves its post-16 provision."

The vast majority of students arriving to collect their A-level results at St John's School in Marlborough on Thursday left with beaming faces.

Once again the Marlborough school achieved a record with a 99 per cent pass rate.

The percentage of A and B grades shot up from 40 per cent last year to 44 per cent.

Top of the class was Jamie Aitcheson, 17, from Mildenhall, who came in the top handful of students nationwide by achieving six A-levels at A grade.

It guaranteed Jamie a place to read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

Laura Cherrington whose older sister Katie has just won a 1st class honours maths degree at Oxford and Anika Sud also achieved five A grade passes each.

Lucy Hayhoe, Tom Tapper and Tia Ward each gained four A grades and one B grade, Imogen Reseigh gained four A grades and Rachel White achieved three A and two B grades.

Headteacher Patrick Hazlewood said the school was thrilled with the results and also the fact that they set new record standards.

Year after year the St John's pupils have achieved greater success rates and Dr Hazlewood said he sometimes wondered for how much longer new records could be set.

Dr Hazlewood said St John's achievement was all the more remarkable because it had happened in a decaying set of buildings that he hoped would be replaced in time for the A- level exams in 2005.

Plans for the proposed single site school should be submitted by the end of year and building work started early in 2004.

Dr Hazelwood said: "We have had some outstanding results."

He said the school was not selective in its sixth form intake and accepted all pupils who had passed a minimum five GCSEs.

"A great deal of this success is down to the hard work by the young people themselves," said the head.

"It is a very stressful system and for them to have come out of it in one piece and with the grades they need shows they have done tremendously well."

Dr Hazlewood said the results were also a testimony to the hard work, dedication and encouragement of the teachers at St John's.

He said little notice should be paid to the detractors who annually trotted out the claim that more students were passing A-levels because the exams had become easier.

Dr Hazlewood said: "You can look for a reduction in standards but I don't think there is any evidence it is there."

He added that many of the A-level exams currently sat by sixth formers were equivalent to degree courses a few years ago.

Students at Stonar School, in Melksham, are celebrating some of their best A-level results this year.

The overall pass rate rose to 98.48 per cent and 29.55 per cent of passes were at A grade with a total of 53 per cent of all passes at A and B grades.

Hayley Ransome achieved one of the top five results in the country for Psychology. Penny Chan obtained A grades in five subjects, Emily Button, Katie Seymour, Rachel McGahey, Hayley Ransome and Amy Farthing each gained three A grades.

Hannah Sargeant gained three A grades and one B grade, Sarah Fenwick received two A grades and a B grade, Belle Yick got two A grades and two B grades and Athena Choi got two A and three B grades.

Science results were particularly strong with seven A grades in Biology and five A grades in Chemistry.

Students of Psychology achieved four A grades.

At St Augustine's School, in Trowbridge Faye Drawnel received one of the top five marks in the country for her biology exam.

Students who received three or more A grades are: Vincent Brown, Nicholas Buckland, Anna Clark, Bruce Jeffery, Maria Santaeularia Badia and Maria Wall.

Malmesbury School headteacher Malcolm Trobe said the school gained another excellent set of A-level results.

Nearly all Malmesbury students who took A- levels passed, and more than 99 per cent gained a grade between A and E, above the national average of 95.4 per cent.

The school's A-C grade rate of 78.7 per cent was more than ten per cent above the national average, as was the 55.8 per cent of those graded A-B.

Mr Trobe said he was very satisfied with the results. "Most of our students have done extremely well and we are very pleased for all of them, not just those with the very top grades," he said.

"Many have achieved commendable results and clearly many students have worked extremely hard and prepared themselves well for examinations. I believe they deserve considerable praise for their achievements.

"On behalf of the students I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work."

There were feelings of relief amongst many of the pupils that the ordeal was over.

Liz, Jobson, 18 of Sherston, was one of the school's top achieving pupils with A grades in biology, chemistry and geography, gaining her a place at Bristol University to study medicine. She said: "Everyone has done so well this year, it has been brilliant. Everyone got what they wanted.

"I was quite scared that I wouldn't get the grades but I was very happy when I did and I was pleased for everyone else as well."

Another straight A pupil, Tom Price, 18, of the Maltings, is going to Nottingham to study Law after a gap year.

He said he had worked hard for his results in English literature, history and psychology.

He said: "I put in so much work beforehand I was working up to ten hours a day solid, but I feel really pleased now."

Top scoring candidate overall, Stephen Millmore, who achieved four grade A passes in chemistry, physics, mathematics and psychology, will have to wait to hear his results as he is in Tanzania. He intends to study mathematics and astronomy at Southampton University.

Fifteen of this year's 44 A-level candidates at St Mary's School, in Calne, achieved straight As. The candidates from the girls' independent school scored 61per cent A grades, up from 55 per cent last year and 89 per cent A and B grades, up from 84 per cent last year.

Three of the school's history candidates were in the top five out of 8,981 entrants nationwide in the AQU Examination Board's exam.

Headteacher, Helen Wright, said: "It is a continued reflection of the high standards of academic achievement at St Mary's School. The girls and staff are to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication."

At Swindon College there were tears of joy for many and disappointment for some. But all students were united in the view that exams were not getting any easier.

Mike Hopkins, principal of the college, rallied against accusations that standards have fallen. He said: "When Paula Radcliffe knocks two minutes off the marathon record we don't say standards have slipped, we say she has worked harder. To say standards are falling is old fashioned old British snob value. Students are working harder and teachers are doing better."

Kirsty Saull, 20, from Highworth, got straight As in philosophy, English and sociology despite the upset of having to cope with the death of her grandmother midway through the course. She will now study philosophy at Durham.

She said: "My gran died at Christmas and I got the call saying she was seriously ill the morning of my interview at Cambridge. I missed a lot of my lectures because I went to Brighton to see her, but I got better results than I expected."

At Wootton Bassett School headteacher Chris Montacute, said: "I am delighted with the success of the students who have achieved excellent results again this year.

"A special mention must be given to the staff, who have put in so much of their own time to ensure that the pupils get the results they deserve."

This year 98.6 per cent of the 107 A-level students passed with grades A to E, with 71.6 per cent of those between A and C. The school's average was the equivalent of two Bs and a C.

A number of students attained outstanding results in their A-levels.

Rachel Aston, Emily Doyle, Helen Fielding, Laura Merry and Antony White all achieved three As and a B. Rosemary Howard and Kate Senior achieved three As and a C, and Andrew Chapman, Emma Minett and Natalee Worthington achieved three As.

Elizabeth Cooper, the headteacher at Ridgeway School, in Wroughton said the results were a resounding success. She said: "Many of our students studied the so-called traditional subjects such as maths, physics and French, and the success rate has been just as high as in other subjects."

St John's College, Oxford, beckons for straight A student Laura Giannotti, of Boness Road, in Wroughton.

Laura, 18, who studied English literature, French and religious education, said: "I was so terrified. I haven't slept for about three weeks. But now there's nothing to worry about."

Chris Burrows, 17, of Station Road, in Chiseldon,gained grade As in chemistry and physics, B in maths and C in English and said his results far exceeded his expectations.

"It's more than enough for Warwick Univer-sity," he said.

New College, Swindon, is celebrating a repeat of last year's record A-level results.

But this year entries were up 15 per cent, with 450 students picking up their results, and the college maintained its overall pass rate of 96 per cent. Almost half of all entries picked up an A or B grade and more than half of all subjects had a 100 per cent pass rate.

The college is sending six students to Oxbridge universities. On top of that, six students were among the top five in the country for their subject.

The Oxbridge students are Michael Wilson, Darren Fodey, Sarah Franklin, Alice Little, Vicky Ing and Andrew Wicker.

And the students achieving some of the highest marks in the country were Michael Wilson, in maths and further maths, Sue Green, Denise Leadley and Ann Smith in textiles, James Norton Bassett in photography and Victoria Ing in archaeology.

Sarah Franklin, 18, from Grange Park, achieved As in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry and will now read maths at Oxford.

She said: "I am very surprised. My physics exam did not go too well so I was expecting a B or C, and chemistry was fun but hard work."

Principal Graham Taylor said: "The results this year reflect a top class performance and are a credit to the talented, hard working students here, and a tribute to the efforts and support of New College."

Cirencester College's A-level pass rate was 96 per cent with 474 students sitting 1,322 A-levels. Christopher Lloyd and Samantha Way, formerly of Highworth's Warneford School and Swindon's Hreod Parkway schools, both earned four As and one B, and ex-Warneford pupil Sarah Woodhams picked up four grade As. Samuel Read and Hannah Brooks, who attended Bradon Forest School, in Purton got three As and two Bs.

Westonbirt School, in Tetbury, had a 100 per cent A-level pass rate. The private school saw 20 per cent of its pupils getting three As.

Headteacher Mary Henderson said: "At Westonbirt we pride ourselves on helping girls of all abilities to achieve their true potential, both inside and out of the classroom.

"We put our success down to excellent teaching, the rewarding effort of achievement and a superb network of personal tutors."

At St Joseph's School in Swindon, headteacher Peter Wells said he was delighted with the results, but admitted he was glad it was over.

He said: "Everyone has reason to celebrate. I am very pleased with the work that both the pupils and the staff have put in.

"The pass rate will be above the national average. Last year we achieved 98 per cent and we hope to achieve the same again this year.

HARDENHUISH School, in Chippenham, was a hotbed of anticipation and excitement last Thursday morning as A-level students received the news they had been waiting for since June.

But it was worth the wait for Catherine Spencer, 18, from Lowden, in Chippenham, who scooped A grades in English Literature, Art, History and Theatre Studies and as a result, is now off to Cambridge University.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," she said. "I received an offer to study English Literature from Cambridge at Christmas and have been so nervous ever since because I needed to get two As and a B. Getting four As is incredible," she said.

Catherine's mother Eryl, 50, said she was very proud of her daughter's achievements.

"She has worked so hard, she really deserves her results," said Mrs Spencer.

Zoe Hatherell, 17, achieved four grade As in her A-Levels but failed her driving test.

"It's been a crazy day," said Zoe of Knockdown, near Sherston.

"I've been extremely nervous about my A- level results and having the driving test too made it doubly nerve-wracking."

Zoe picked up As in maths, physics, biology and chemistry and is to study medicine at Manchester University before hopefully becoming a surgeon.

"I am absolutely over the moon that I've got what I needed to study medicine," she said.

"Since taking my exams I've thought about my results every day, sometimes feeling I'd done well, sometimes convincing myself I'd failed now the sense of relief is amazing."

Zoe's mother Jan, Hardenhuish school's deputy head and physics teacher, was also her daughter's physics teacher.

She said she was absolutely thrilled at how well Zoe and the rest of her classmates had done in their exams.

"They have all done fantastically well and of course I am absolutely delighted that Zoe can now go on and study to be a doctor, which is something she has always dreamed about," she said.

Zoe said: "My mum is a brilliant teacher. She's a little bit eccentric and she's very popular too, so the fact that she was my mum wasn't really an issue.

"We also agreed that mum wouldn't treat me any differently by giving me any extra tuition, so I was just like any other pupil in her class."

Tim Denning, 18, of Cepen Park South, was thrilled to receive three A grades in business studies, geography and physics.

I never guessed I'd get three As," he said "I'm just amazed.

"My mum stayed in the school car park when I went to get my results, in case I didn't get the 2As and a Bs I needed to get into Warwick University.

"If I hadn't got them, we would have raced home and got home on the phone to my second choice of university, Newcastle, but as it turns out, I have all I need to go to Warwick and I'm thrilled." Tim will be now studying for a degree in management sciences

"It's been a really intense two years," he said. "Last night I couldn't sleep at all, I was so nervous.

"But now I'm so relieved and tonight a load of us are off out to the pub to celebrate."

Sheldon School, in Chippenham, also had plenty to celebrate when record-breaking results signalled bright futures for many of its sixthformers.

Ken Koon is off to study chemistry at Somerville College, Oxford, after scooping grade As in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry and general studies.

And Oliver Woodman, who achieved grade As in maths, physics, chemistry, design technology and general studies has secured his place at St Catherine's College, Cambridge, where he will be reading Computer Science.

Headteacher Tony Cleaver praised the hard work of students who had achieved a record set of results.

"Our average points score per student has gone up to an incredible 311 points, beating even last year's record, when Sheldon was the highest achieving comprehensive school in Wiltshire," said Mr Cleaver.

"Best of all, almost 30 per cent of all passes were at grade A, another school record.

Other star Sheldon students included Chris Shields, Nathan Denham, Sophie Metcalf and Carly Prangle, who all achieved three grade As. and Trevor Deeble and Zoe Holborough both achieved 2 A grades and one B grade.

At Corsham School five students were awarded at least three grade As. Lucy Pierce added a grade B in food technology and a general studies AS level to her A grades in art, physical education and psychology.

Katherine Oliver gained A grades in English literature, mathematics and philosophy and a B grade in French.

Mary Mellett gained grade As in English Literature, history and philosophy and AS-levels in general studies and chemistry.

Anna Mellors and Kate Morgan each gained A grades for biology, chemistry and geography.

Christopher Fear also gained an A grade in English Literature, B grades in psychology and drama and theatre studies, and a C grade for philosophy.

Malmesbury School headteacher Malcolm Trobe said his school gained another excellent set of Alevel results

Nearly all Malmesbury students who took A levels, passed and more than 99 per cent gained a grade between A and E, above the national average of 95.4 per cent.

The school's A-C grade rate of 78.7 per cent was more than ten per cent above the national average as was the 55.8 per cent of those graded A-B.

Mr Trobe said he was very satisfied with the results."Most of our students have done extremely well and we are very pleased for all of them, not just those with the very top grades," he said.

"Many have achieved commendable results and clearly many students have worked extremely hard and prepared themselves well for examinations. I believe they deserve considerable praise for their achievements.

"On behalf of the students I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work."

There were feelings of relief amongst many of the pupils that the ordeal was over.

Liz, Jobson, 18 of Sherston, was one of the school's top achieving pupils with A grades in biology, chemistry and geography, which has gained her a place at Bristol University to study medicine.

She said: "Everyone has done so well this year. It has been brilliant, everyone got what they wanted.

"I was quite scared that I wouldn't get the grades but I was very happy when I did and I was pleased for everyone else as well."

Another straight As pupil Tom Price, 18, of the Maltings, is going to Nottingham to study law after a gap year.

He said he had worked hard for his results in English literature, history and psychology.

He said: "I put in so much work beforehand I was working up to ten hours a day solid, but I feel really pleased now."

Stephen Millmore, the top scoring candidate overall, who achieved four grade A passes in chemistry, physics, mathematics and psychology, will have to wait to hear his results as he is in Tanzania.

He intends to study mathematics and astronomy at Southampton University.

Fifteen of this year's 44 A-level candidates at St Mary's School, in Calne, achieved straight A's.The candidates from the girls' independent school scored 61 per cent A grades, up from 55 per cent last year and 89 per cent A and B grades, up from 84 per cent last year.

Three of the school's history candidates were in the top five out of 8,981 entrants nationwide in the AQU Examination Board's exam.

Headteacher Helen Wright, said: "It is a continued reflection of the high standards of academic achievement at St Mary's School. The girls and staff are to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication."

Wiltshire College student Chris Davies received A grades in biology and chemistry, as well as Bs in English literature, physics and General Studies.Now he's looking forward to a five-year dentistry course in Cardiff.

He had originally planned a career in law, but decided the procedures and paperwork weren't exciting enough.

"I wanted a career that was highly paid, where I could work for just four days a week and where I could work for myself," he admitted.

"I though that dentistry might offer that, so I did some work experience at the Dartmoor Prison Access Centre and found it very enjoyable and challenging."

Early figures reveal that the Chippenham campus results have topped the national average, with 87 per cent of the students achieving a pass rate, with 11 out of the 18 subject areas obtaining a 100 per cent pass rate.

In Calne A-level results at John Bentley School were up, with 63 per cent of the school's 71 candidates achieving A, B or C grades.

One student achieved A grades in four subjects and seven scored two A's or more.

Deputy head teacher Philip Hamilton, said: "Personally I was very pleased with the results and it was a good day for the school.

"Almost all our students were able to progress on to the next step they wanted, which in most cases was university."