Huge A-level exams success for West Midlands students
Students across the region basked in the same glory that saw the overall A-level pass rate improve nationally for the 27th year in succession.
The proportion of students now achieving grades A to E has reached 97.5 per cent nationally, an increase of 0.3 per cent from last year, while a record 26.7 per cent of entries were awarded an A grade.
The annual rise in A-level passes will see a new A* grade introduced next year so universities can filter out the top students.
The top-performing King Edward’s High School for Girls in Edgbaston saw 100 per cent of girls who sat the physics A-level achieve grades A or B, with maths and chemistry students obtaining 95 and 91 per cent respectively.
Pupils Imogen Brooke and Sarah Wood each achieved four grade As, with Imogen now hoping to enter the world of musical theatre while Sarah hopes to embark on a career in civil engineering.
Imogen, who has been dancing since the age of two and a half, said: "I am so excited to have got four As as I worked really hard, but the chance to attend the Laine Theatre Arts and learn from professional actors and dancers is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I intend to make the most of every minute!"
The neighbouring King Edward’s School enjoyed another record-breaking year with 75.7 per cent of candidates achieving A grade passes, beating last year’s record of 72.3 per cent, while the total points per candidate rose from 351 to another record high of 358.
Twins Tom and Alex Dawes followed up their ten A*s each at GCSE with five A grades at A-level and now both go to Oxford to read Mathematics.
Chief Master John Claughton said: "These are exceptional results for a wonderful group of boys.
"It is particularly striking to note how many of the most successful boys have received financial support during their time here: half of those with four A grades or better received scholarships or assisted places."
Q3 Academy in Great Barr saw its A-level pass rate rise from last year’s 92 per cent, when it was still Dartmouth High School, to 100 per cent now.
Key students highlighted were Alex Goodwin (2As and 2Bs), Richard Higgs (1A, 3Bs and 1C), Nathan Murphy (2As, 1B and 1D) and Zafron Mohammed (3As).
