A LEVEL results are again on the up at The Grange, despite increasing challenges facing colleges up and down the country.
Top grades rose at the school, bucking the nationwide trend, with headteacher Debbie Leonard left feeling proud of a year group that has adapted to changing tides.
She said: “We are delighted because there is a lot of volatility around but the changes have been going on for the last three or four years and these are the best results we’ve had.
Bree Livesey
“There is more to it this year, and I think some of the courses are a bit more realistic to the job market and we have had a bit of a focus on it. That seems to appeal to some of our students.
“We have a lot of students going off to do good courses like law, history, medicine and so on, but there is so much more in this year group. They have worked really hard and have delivered in their results.
“We are in unknown territory at the moment with all of this, but the students have done amazingly well and we are so proud of them all.”
Of all grades achieved, 62 per cent were A* or A.
One student taking the path less travelled is Jacob Reilly, who will begin a four-year degree apprenticeship with multinational firm PwC.
Jacob Reilly
Jacob, who gained A*AA in maths, computer science and physics, explained: “During term time you are a student, then in the summer you do 10-week placements and the third year is a year in industry.
“After your fourth year, if you get a 2:1 they guarantee you a job.
“I was really nervous ahead of today. I was most worried about getting an A in maths which I needed, and the stories about the grade boundaries and leaks were a bit worrying.”
Meanwhile, Bree Livesey, A*AA, will be building on her experience as head girl when she begins geography studies at Cambridge this autumn.
She said: “I’m just very relieved I got in. It is a long time to wait and the only thing you can remember is the bad bits of the exams.
“It was very, very nerve-wracking this morning. I have been very stressed over the past few days – the exams were really challenging.”
Ben Maxwell-Reid
Ben Maxwell-Reid has surpassed all expectations – with the world his oyster after achieving three A* grades.
Ben said: “I’m overjoyed – I just worked so hard for it, so it just shows that hard work pays off.”
Kate Samuel and Jodie Sale also achieved all A*s.
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