Students at Grace College in Gateshead are celebrating a significant uplift in A Levels despite the challenging circumstances of coping with lockdown, COVID and the overall effects of two years of disrupted education.
The results are elevated from those of 2019 with 27 per cent of grades at A*/A, up from six per cent three years ago, and 77 per cent of grades at A*-C, an increase from 56 per cent in 2019.
In addition, the college has seen the average A Level grade go up from a C to a B, while the percentage of students going to Russell Group universities is seven per cent higher.
Twenty-seven per cent of students are going to Russell Group universities, including seven to Newcastle University and others going to Leeds, Liverpool, Edinburgh and London.
Head girl Rosie Greatorex achieved two A*s and an A in English literature, history and RS and will study English literature at Newcastle University.
Head boy Euan Gray gained an A and two Bs in geography, biology and politics. He is taking a year out and is looking to apply for international relations and politics.
Principal Mark Hall said: “We are so pleased with the results of these two students who have been significant leaders within the school body and have supported their year group through the most challenging of A Level years.”
Khadija Al-Haj Nasar achieved an A*, A and three Bs in Arabic, biology, chemistry, maths and physics and will be studying pharmacy at Newcastle University.
Mr Hall said: “This is an astounding achievement. Khadija has massively exceeded her predicted grades and her achievement is testament to her hard work and dedication.”
Other high achievers included William Hall, who achieved an A* and three As in chemistry, biology, maths and physics and will study chemistry at Newcastle; Abbie Brunskill (A*, A, B), Kate Smith (A* and two As), Alice Cable (two As and a B) and Tyler Justice Young (three As).
Vocational students had much to celebrate with Cameron Frazer achieving distinction* in sport and distinctions in double award enterprise to study real estate at Northumbria. Daniela Da Silva Rodrigues achieved two distinction and merit in enterprise, health and social sare and travel and tourism and is going to study psychology at Northumbria. Joe Irvin achieved a clean sweep of distinctions in sport, engineering and IT and is starting an apprenticeship in engineering.
Among interesting next steps for students, Linzi-Jean Heslop will be starting a degree apprenticeship with Northumbria Police with a view to become a police officer in five years and Riley Sweeney is going on to study zoology at Newcastle University.