DELIGHTED students from across the borough are celebrating another outstanding year of A-level results.
The hard-working teenagers have been praised for their effort and dedication which for many has resulted in a place at their chosen university.
Nationally, the pass rate rose again with 97.2% of pupils graded A-E, up from 96.9% last year, of which 25.9% gained the top A grade, up from 25.3%.
Whitby High School’s top achievers were Jade Murray (3As, 2Bs), Greg Brittles (3As), Heather Garner (2As, 1C), Katy Adkinson (2As, 1B) and Laura John (2As, 1C, 1D).
Other students who obtained more than 1,000 QCA points were Fawn Beddows, Amy Challinor and Holly Saunders.
Assistant headteacher Mrs German-Lloyd said: “We are very pleased with our pupils’ achievements, which reflect the hard work done by students and staff. We wish them every success in their future.”
A spokesman for Ellesmere Port Specialist School of Performing Arts said: “The school is delighted with its A-level results this year, another improvement on last year’s results with 25% grade As.
“Some excellent results were gained by Natasha Coombes, Abi Mullen, Matthew Budd, Jessica McGlynn and Cassie McNabb.
“Several students have achieved four A-levels and our congratulations go to them and the staff who have worked tirelessly to support them.
“Special congratulations go to Mathew Budd who is among the candidates who scored one of the top five marks in the country in travel and tourism.”
A total of 69 A-level pupils sat papers in 19 different subjects at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, achieving an overall pass rate of 97%.
Thirty-eight per cent of results were graded at A or B, which for the third year running was a significant increase.
Headteacher Peter Lee said early indications were that 80% of students had secured places at their first-choice universities.
He added: “I am delighted to be able to congratulate our former students in the upper sixth on their outstanding achievements in A-level examinations.
“We have also received results for AS examinations taken by the lower sixth. These are particularly encouraging and augur well for 2009.
“These are comfortably the strongest set of results we have seen from students in our school and I know that they would want to join me in thanking their teachers and all the staff at school who have worked with them over the past years.”
Cheshire Oaks High School headteacher Lynne Fox said: “This year we had a particularly small cohort taking AS/A2 qualifications. Our results were as expected, in line with predictions based on prior attainment data.”
Neston High is celebrating another year of best-yet A-level results.
With 100% pass rate and record numbers achieving grades A and B, headteacher Steven Dool said: “Most pleasing about this year’s performance are those students who have achieved beyond their statistically predicted grades.
“We at Neston believe it is important for students to be aspirational in setting targets for themselves and students have clearly risen to this challenge.”
He added: “I should like to congratulate the students on their success, to thank parents for their continued support and the teaching staff for their hard work and commitment.
“What better way could there be to celebrate 50 years of learning at Neston High School than this?”
Top performers include James Annakin-Smith (3A), Pippa Buist (3A), Michael Farrell (3A), Tom Rafferty (3A), Chris Ridgeway (3A 1B), Olivia Stone (2A 1B), Helen Williams (2A, 1B), Lauren Christensen (2A, 1B) and Jessica Edge (3A).
At Mostyn House School many six-formers exceeded their own expectations.
Headteacher Suzi Grenfell said: “We have a small, mixed ability sixth form and all of the students have worked really hard for their success.
“With 75% of all results achieved being at grade C or higher, we have shown yet again that in the right environment students of a wide range of ability can achieve high grades at A-level.
“Many of the students will now be heading for prestigious university courses.”
Cheshire County Council’s children’s services executive member, David Rowlands, said: “Each year it becomes harder to improve on the previous year’s results – yet it appears that Cheshire’s young people have once again maintained this excellent record.”
