North Wilts A-level results round-up (From Wiltshire Times)

North Wilts A-level results round-up

11:37am Thursday 16th August 2007 in Search By Wiltshire Times reporters

THERE were cheers and tears at north Wiltshire schools this morning as the annual A-level results were published.

Students got up early to pick up their results, which marked the culmination of two years hard work, although exam board edexcel published results online for the first time.

History was made at Abbeyfield School in Stanley Lane, Chippenham, which celebrated its first ever set of A-level results.

The overall pass rate was 93 per cent with 37 per cent at grades A or B.

Headteacher Trish Shubrook said: "These are our first set of results and we are very excited about it. They are pretty much as we expected and all the children have done really well.

"Seven years ago these lovely young men and women were 11 year olds looking forward to coming to Abbeyfield in September as our first intake of students.

"It has been a great pleasure and privilege to have been able to been their headteacher and to have worked with them to build our school together."

Student Helen Rawlings, 18, from Pewsham, is hoping to become an English teacher after her impressive results secured her place at Exeter University.

Helen scored three A grades in English combined, psychology and drama.

She said: "I can't believe it. I am so pleased."

Fellow student Philip Mannering, 18, from Pewsham, said he was "ecstatic" after notching up three A grades in maths, physics and art, as well as a B in A/S further maths.

Philip, who will study physics and theological physics at Durham University, said: "I needed three A grades for my university place so there was no room for error. I am now looking forward to university life."

Hardenhuish School in Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham, recorded its best ever A-level results with 18 students earning three or more straight As.

The overall pass rate was 100 per cent with 81 per cent of entries at grades A-C.

Deputy headteacher Jan Hatherell said: "They are marvellous results, we are absolutely thrilled - they are our best ever by far.

"The students have done extraordinarily well reflecting their hard work and that of their teachers.

"There have been extraordinary performances by young people today not expecting to get the grades to go to university and being totally thrilled with their grades and that's what its all about really."

There were plenty of smiles at neighbouring Sheldon School as students kept up the standards following last year's high standards.

The school, which was among the top 25 comprehensive schools in England last year, recorded a 99 per cent pass rate, with 47 per cent of passes at grades A or B and 71 per cent within A-C.

One success story was reserved for 18-year-old student Stephen Flexer, who in 2005 was seriously injured when a car hit him and his friend Chris Parsons as they were sat outside Pizza Hut in Chippenham.

Stephen was yesterday celebrating earning a place at Cambridge University where he will study economics, after achieving an impressive five A grades in economics, history, maths, further maths and general studies.

Other outstanding performances included those of Stuart Dingle and Anne Moore, who also notched up five A grades each.

Headteacher Gerard MacMahon said: "We are extremely pleased with these results and proud of the efforts of students and teachers in achieving them.

"Sheldon will again be towards the top of the national achievement tables."

At The Corsham School in The Tynings, students boasted a 98 per cent pass rate, with 50 per cent of grades at A or B.

One of the star performers was Steph Hovey, 17, of High Street, Corsham, notched up an impressive four A grades in philosophy, art and design, psychology and A/S level general studies along with a B grade in music.

Steph is planning to take a year out to travel Europe and Mexico before taking up a place at Leeds University to study music and psychology.

She said: "I am really pleased with all of it but I was a little disappointed with music as I wanted to get an A grade."

Student Robert Duncan, 18, of Hatton Way, Corsham, achieved three As in maths, French and physics, and an A in A/S maths.

Robert will go to Cambridge University to study computer science.

Andy Kingan, head of sixth form, said he was delighted with the number of A-level passes at the top two grades.