A-level results day: Full West Midlands round up
The 2015 A-level results are in and many schools have been celebrating a year of success. Here's a round up of results from across the West Midlands.
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The A-level pass rate across the West Midlands increased to 98.1 per cent - up 0.3 per cent on last year's figure, while the pass rate also increased on a national level.
Although the number of top A-level grades across the country has dipped for the fourth year in a row, record numbers of students are heading to university, with more than 400,000 already accepted on to degree courses.
Below is a round up of the results we've received from schools in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Staffordshire and Cannock.
Wolverhampton
The Royal School
19 per cent of A-level grades were at A* or A .
Countering the national trend, the school's female students have achieved great results in the sciences.
Other highlights included 33 per cent of students attaining A* or A in chemistry , and 50 per cent gaining A or B in maths.
The school gave a special mention to Maria Ciupka, who will be heading to the USA to study modern languages; Krystyna Drewniak, who intends to study medicine and Alexsejs Slandzevskis, who is off to Leeds to study mechatronics and robotics, which certainly sounds impressive.
Our Lady & St Chad
The Catholic academy exceeded their best ever results for the second year running.
All students successfully gained a place at university, with more students than ever achieving the very highest grades, while outstanding achievements in all vocational subjects saw a rise in excess of 200 points per student.
City of Wolverhampton College
Students achieved a pass rate of 85.8 per cent for overall A-level provision, an increase of 7 per cent on last year's figures.
Results included a 100 per cent pass rate in seven subject areas.
Curriculum Manager for A-levels Sally Slater said: "I am extremely proud of all our students who have worked so hard to achieve a fantastic set of results.
"The majority of our students have now gained a place in their first choice of university, while others are moving on into employment."
North East Wolverhampton Academy
100 per cent of students achieved two or more A-levels or equivalents.
Principal Bal Pierpoint said: "We are very proud of our students. The results reflect the hard work and dedication of both our students and staff.
"All of our students who applied for places at university were successful, with the majority securing a place of their first choice."
Among the many success stories was Ajay Bhatia who managed two As and an A* and intends to read maths at university.
Wolverhampton Grammar School,
76 upper sixth form students studied A-levels.
There were 34 A* grades in one to three subjects with 43 per cent achieving A* or A grades.
72 per cent of all A-level passes at Wolverhampton Grammar School at grades A - B.
Head Kathy Crewe-Read said it had been another "fantastic year" for the school.
St Edmund's Catholic Academy
All students achieved A-levels and 20 per cent of the grades achieved were at A* or A.
Deputy head girl OuAgnieszka was the top performer two A*s and two As, while Tom Corrigan also excelled with two A*s and an A.
AS-level results were described as 'promising' by school bosses, with 20 per cent of entries grading at A or B.
Wolverhampton Girls' High School
An impressive total of 49 per cent of entries were awarded A and A* grades.
41 girls achieved three or more A and A* grades, with Holly Richardson securing five A*s and Alexandra Reece four A*s and one A.
Proud headteacher Trudi Young the results "should be widely celebrated by our students, their families and the staff."
Tettenhall College
More than half of the students gained A* to C grades.
A quarter of pupils achieved the top A* or A grades and the overall pass rate was 92 per cent.
Head girl Ellen Walker was awarded a treble of A* grades - including full marks in her art exam - and will study art at the internationally-renowned Falmouth Art College.
Headmaster David Williams wished "all of our leavers the very best for their future careers", adding that he was "extremely proud of what they have achieved – both personally and academically."
Colton Hills Community School
Students were celebrating an overall pass rate of 97 per cent, with 63 per cent of students achieving A to C grades.
Headteacher Alberto Otero said the results capped "an outstanding year", while Niruthan Puvanenthiran, who is going to Nottingham University to study Mechanical Engineering, said: "I am thrilled with my results and just cannot stop smiling."
Walsall
Barr Beacon School
The school in Aldridge recorded its best ever results.
Executive Headteacher Dame Maureen was delighted. She said: "Our students have achieved an unarguably fantastic set of results.
"With 22 A* grades and the vast majority overall at B grade or above we know our students have earned what they need to access the best possible destinations. We have more going to Russell Group universities than ever before."
Top performers included Wesley Rawlings, who has achieved four A*s and is going to read physics at the University of Oxford.
Aldridge School
A quarter of all students achieved A* and A grades, while the pass rate rose to 100 per cent from 98 per cent last year.
Among the star students was 19-year-old Danielle Allerton who managed an A* in history, government and politics, religious studies, an A in English Language and an A* in her extended project.
Headteacher David Mountney said he hoped the students would go on "to improve our world in the future."
Bloxwich Academy
Students achievied a 96.2 per cent pass rate in their level 3 courses, 33 per cent of which were at A*-B equivalent.
Executive Headteacher Dame Maureen Brennan, who took over the academy in April, said: "These Year 13 students have overcome considerable challenges to achieve very positive results.
"There are many hardworking students at Bloxwich Academy and we wish Year 13 every success in their university courses and apprenticeships."
Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy
The school joined the record breaking ranks, having been in special measures just 16 months ago.
The school has since undergone a remarkable transformation and in May was rated as 'good'.
In the core subjects of English, Mathematics and all three sciences there was a 100 per cent pass rate, with over 70 per cent of students in each subject gaining the higher grades of A* to C.
Principal Paula Ward said: "I am so proud of our students' fantastic achievements. Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy has been recognized as a good school with a good sixth form and the results certainly reflect this!"
Queen Mary's High School
The school was another institution to manage a 100 per cent pass rate, having just failed to hit the mark last year.
77 per cent of A-levels were graded A*-B, leading headteacher Dr Alison Bruton to praise "the ongoing support of their families and friends and the excellent quality of teaching which Queen Mary's High School provides."
Some of the highest of the high achievers were Eleanor Lawson, who received three A*s, Sophia Patel, who gained three A*s and an A, Olivia Wang who managed two A*s and two As and Francesca Codrington, who got two A*s and one A.
Shire Oak Academy
The Walsall Wood school posted its best results for seven years, with a 99 per cent pass rate and 98 per cent of students achieving at least three A levels or equivalent.
The sixth form also improved their average points per student score up to 879, compared to 859 in 2014.
Ray Beech, acting principal at the academy, said the students' results were "a very fitting reward for their endeavours".
Joseph Leckie Academy
The academy improved on its 2014 results, managing a 100 per cent pass rate in 19 subjects.
The overall pass rate for students achieving A*-E grades rose to 99 per cent from 98 per cent last year.
Principal Keith Whittlestone said students "should be congratulated on the effort they have put in to obtain some excellent results".
Willenhall E-ACT Academy
Every student at the school managed to get into the university of their choice.
The school managed its highest average point score in the last four years (650) and improved a number of A* grades.
Top performers included Kate Mullender who managed an A, an A* and a B and Tiffany Afflick who received two Bs an A and a distinction star in BTEC music.
Sandwell
Sandwell College's Central Sixth
Students secured a 100 per cent pass rate in 20 different subjects and a 99 per cent pass rate overall.
Director of Central Sixth, Dr Matt Lamb, said the results were evidence of the "inspirational" nature of the learning space, while Sandwell College principal Graham Pennington added: "These results are wonderful and reflect how hard our students have worked to achieve their qualifications."
Sandwell Academy
The school is celebrating a place at Cambridge for student Anoop Sumal.
Anoop, 18, from Rowley Regis, appears to be the definitive star pupil, having achieved A*s in biology and chemistry, an A in physics and an A in AS-level further maths, having achieved an A* in A-level maths the previous year.
Q3 Academy in Great Barr
One student at the school, where A-level students are celebrating a 100% pass rate, has had a particularly remarkable year both in and out of the classroom.
Adam Lubin was one of only three young people to be awarded the Queen's Scout Award, also completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and still managed to achieve an A in Photography, a B in Sociology and a B in ICT. On top of this he is also an active campanologist at his local parish church. Upon receiving his results, Adam was reported to be celebrating with bells on.
Holly Lodge School
The Smethwick school celebrated a great set of results this year for both years 12 and 13.
Two of their pupils did particularly well: Jaffar Saleh achieved two A*s an A and a B and is off to Bath University to study aeronautical engineering and Etel Etel, who got an A and two Bs, is going to Birmingham University to study medicine.
Holly Lodge School headteacher Ahson Mohammed said: "I'm very pleased to report some fantastic results from our sixth form students. They all deserve congratulations for their hard work and efforts."
Wood Green Academy
Students at the academy in Wednesbury were celebrating their best results in four years, with almost half of the grades awarded being A* to B.
Jacob Glover, who received three As, was particularly over the moon after securing a place at Oxford University to study theology.
Wood Green Academy headteacher, James Topham said: "We are absolutely delighted with this years' A-level results and I'd like to express my congratulations to all the students at Wood Green.
Ormiston Forge Academy Sixth Form
The sixth form managed another record-breaking year, with 100 pre cent of students achieving at least one A-level pass.
89 per cent achieved two or more passes and 63 per cent managed three or more.
The average point score per student for A-levels was 627 compared to 616 in 2014, while vocational students also shone with an average point score per student of 554, compared to last year's 519.
Principal Andrew Burns said consistency throughout the school had been key to success and promised to 'nurture' all new students throughout their studies.
Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy
Students in Tivdale were delighted with their best ever results this year, with 100 per cent of A-level students achieving A*-E grades.
Principal Marie McMahon said: "I am immensely proud of what all the students have achieved with the support of their teachers and families. I wish them all the very best for a happy and successful future."
Dudley
Bishop Milner Catholic College
The college achieved a 99 per cent pass-rate overall.
Year 13 students secured 48 per cent A* to B Grades and 75 per cent managed A*to C Grades.
Top performing students were Joseph Hancox who achieved one A*, one A, two B's and one C Grade and Aaron Ginder who achieved one distinction star, one A, one B and one C.
It's a double celebration for the Milner after the school's sixth form was rated as 'good' following an Ofsted inspection earlier this year.
Dudley Sixth
The sixth form increased its pass rate compared to last year, with 98.3 per cent avoiding a fail.
Students achieved 100 per cent pass rate in 27 of the 35 subjects taught there, including maths.
Principal Lowell Williams said: "Today's results are evidence of the commitment and dedication of our students and staff alike.
Halesowen College
The college managed an overall pass rate of 99 per cent, with 33 subjects hitting the 100 per cent mark.
The latter group included English language and literature, English literature and further maths.
Outstanding performers included: Emma Cooper, Cameron Kemp, Kamila Milewska, Pooja Sharma and Georgia Tilt who were all awarded at least one A*.
Vocational students also excelled, with 144 of them gaining triple distinction star grades in work programmes.
Principal Keith Bate congratulated the "highly professional and committed staff who had provided the most effective support available".
Staffordshire
St Dominic's School in Brewood
The school maintained its 100 per cent pass rate
Head Pete McNabb said: "With almost 75 per cent achieving A* to B grades and very nearly 25 per cent gaining A* to A grades, the students and school can be extremely proud of their hard work and commendable performance."
Abbots Bromley School
58 per cent of students achieved A* or A, with 84 per cent gaining A*to B.
Students are also celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate of distinction star for BTEC Performing Arts.
Executive head Victoria Musgrave said the results were "testament to the hard work of staff and students and the support of our parents" and represented "another year of continued success".
The Friary School
The Lichfield school was pleased with results that saw 76 per cent of A-level entries receive A*-C grades - the highest figure in the school's history.
Some of the more impressive students included Louisa Bebb (four A*s), Emily Townsend (three A*s and one A) and Rudi Hood (two A*s and two As).
Headteacher, David Lister, said it was "great to see young people enjoying deserved reward for their dedication and looking forward excitedly to further challenges and opportunities".
Thomas Alleyne's High School
The school managed an average point score of 215, with over half grades falling between A* and B.
Headteacher Julie Rudge said: "I am incredibly proud of our students and staff today. The vast majority of students have attained places at their chosen Universities or secured results to enable them to take up apprenticeships or employment.
"Perhaps most importantly the pass rate was over 99 per cent again - an increase on last year."
She was also delighted with the school's improvement in vocational results.
Chase Terrace Technology College
Students at the school in Burntwood were also celebrating its strongest ever set of A-level results, with more top grades than ever before.
For the fourth consecutive year, over half of the students achieved at least one A* or A grade qualification.
Top achievers were: Grace Deavall, Oliver Manley, Paige Hill, Amelia Such, Ryan Allwood and Rosie Tunley.
Headteacher, Dr Stuart Jones, said he was "delighted for the whole school community."
Cannock
Cardinal Griffin Catholic College
46 out of the 59 students who received results at the school will go onto higher education.
Headteacher Michael Burrowes said the A-levels had been "rigorous and demanding and that he was "delighted for the students, their parents and teachers."
Cannock Chase High School
The school is another in the long line of Black Country schools and colleges to record its best ever A-level results.
Students' academic progress, in comparison to last year's figures, place it as the top performing sixth form in the Cannock and Rugeley district.
Headteacher Iain Turnbull said: "I would like to congratulate all of our students. They have been a delight to teach and thoroughly deserve their success."
Elsewhere
Haybridge High School and Sixth Form
100 per cent of students at the Hagley school passed the A-level courses that they were studying, while over half of all students achieved passes at A*-B in each of their chosen courses.
Headteacher Caroline Hoddinott said she was "extremely proud of the students and staff" and thanked the families of the students, as well as the teachers.
Ellie Payne and Daniel Starks are both taking up places to study medicine, having achieved particularly outstanding results.
George Salter Academy
The school in West Bromwich was another school to record its best ever results this year.
78 per cent of students achieved three or more A* to C grades - up from 73 per cent in 2014.
Notable successes include Fatheha Rahman, who received A grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, plus a distinction star in Forensics. She is going to University of Birmingham to read Biochemistry.