SIXTH formers across Swindon celebrated their success with friends and family after receiving great grades.

New figures revealed that the A-level pass rate in the town increased to 96.8 per cent of students achieving grades A* to E from last year's 96.3 per cent.

Results with at least one A* to B grade rose from 38.7 per cent to 40.3 per cent but the proportion of people getting As and A*s dipped from 15.9 per cent to 14.7 per cent.

Swindon's cabinet member for education Coun Russell Holland said: “I would like to congratulate all students who picked up their A-Level results and wish them the very best for the future whether they continue into further education or embark into the world of work.

"This day was the culmination of two years’ of hard work not only from the students, but from teachers and everyone associated with our schools and colleges. Special mention must also go to the UTC, Commonweal and New College for improving on their pass rate from last year."

“All of our secondary schools and colleges are working incredibly hard to improve pupils’ grades and we will continue to support them through the Swindon Challenge Board and the Swindon Learning Town initiative.”

NEW COLLEGE

The college hailed a record-high pass rate of 98 per cent.

Student Katie Canfer who said: “I think I’d like to take a gap year now, but then hopefully I’ll go to Nottingham University after if they accept me.

Principal Carole Kitching said: “I’m very proud of all our students who continue to go from strength to strength.”

More details here.

COMMONWEAL SCHOOL

The school’s largest cohort of post-16 students achieved an A* to B pass rate of 45 per cent. Isabelle Harding said: “I’m one mark off a B in maths so I’m definitely getting that remarked. Next I’ll be heading to Southampton University to do environmental science.”

Head of sixth form James Matcham said: “We are all delighted with the achievement of our students and particularly the high standards achieved across such a wide range of subject areas.”

More from Commonweal here.

SWINDON ACADEMY

The sixth form saw an increase in the number of top grades being achieved at A-level with 26 per cent of entries achieving A* to B grades.

Around 62 per cent of vocational course entries achieved the highest grades of distinction or distinction*.

Executive principal of the Swindon and Nova Hreod academies Ruth Robinson said: “Our sixth formers can take great pride in their achievements today, as a fitting reward for their hard work, ambition and determination over many years of study.”

More from Swindon Academy here.

RIDGEWAY SCHOOL

Sixth Formers achieved record results with 97 per cent achieving A* to E.and 54 per cent achieving A*s and As.

Toby Ellis said: “After the exams, I expected the worst but I’m really happy with my results.”

Principal James Poavas said: “We’re delighted to have record numbers of students achieving higher grade passes. Our students can look forward to fantastic futures, whether at university, in employment, in apprenticeships or in training."

More details from Ridgeway School here.

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Principal Jim Grant said: “We have seen another year of strong science results with increases in the highest grades, particularly in physics and further maths.

“There were also huge leaps in English literature, economics and drama grades.”

One Cirencester student achieved the highest possible grades in all her subjects. Click here to find out more.

LYDIARD PARK ACADEMY

Students celebrated achieving their best-ever A-level results with 98 per cent of students passing and 43 per cent achieving A* to B.

Joshua Mitchell became the academy’s first student to get a place at Oxford University and Year 10 pupil Dylan Clark-Webb gained an A* in A-level maths.

Principal Gary Pearson said “I'm delighted with the results this year as it reflects the dedication of both students and staff.”

More details from Lydiard Park Academy here.

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT ACADEMY

Students breathed a sigh of relief after getting ideal grades.

Exactly 98.91 per cent of students passed with A* to E grades in their A levels and 25.43 per cent achieved A*s and As.

Sophie Little is heading to Kings College London to begin a maths degree after achieving three A*s.

She said: “I joined the academy in February of year 12 after changing schools. It was hard to make friends and get the funding I needed at first but it all worked out in the end.

“I expected to get good grades but not this good! I’m excited to start the next part of my life.”

Headteacher George Croxford said: “In a time where the government have cut funding in post-16 education and class sizes have got bigger but the exams are more difficult, it’s an incredible achievement to keep our results at this level we are at."

More news from Royal Wootton Bassett Academy here.

UTC SWINDON

Every UTC student passed their A-levels and BTEC exams.

Leo Robinson achieved an A in Physics, a B in Chemistry and a B in Maths. He is heading to Southampton University to study chemistry.

He added that he would no have been able to pursue his dream without the guidance and support of staff at UTC.

Over the last three years, a large proportion of Year 13 UTC leavers overall went on to start apprenticeships, with 75 per cent securing apprenticeships last year compared to 6 per cent nationally. 

Marcin Daber will be starting an apprenticeship with Nationwide after achieving a Merit in Level 3 BTEC IT foundation diploma and C in A Level Computer Science.

Principal of UTC Swindon Jon Oliver said: “I’m delighted to congratulate our students on their well-deserved achievements after their hard work.”

Students praise support from UTC staff.