Clyst Vale Community College says it has a lot to celebrate following the announcement of its post-16 results yesterday (August 17).

Clyst Vale’s top-achieving students include Jack Kingston and Laurence Raeder who both achieved grades A*A*A: Jack will now study History at Warwick University while Laurence will go to Bristol University to study Economics with international study.

Sam Walsh achieved A*AA, and will study Mathematics at Cardiff University. Three students achieved straight A grades: Alex Cox, Will Jermey and Adam Large: Alex will go to Surrey University to study Chemistry, Will to Bristol UWE to study History, and Adam to Swansea University to study Chemical Engineering. 

Lara Gulec, Sam Saulter and Nicholas Sloan achieved AAB, and Hafina Clavey AAC. 22 students had at least one A grade or starred Distinction among their results.

Principal Kevin Bawn said: “A-Level and BTEC Level 3 results day is about individual students, their achievements, and whether they are able to progress on to the next stage of their lives.

“We know our students really well as individuals, in most cases we have watched them grow over seven years, and I’m delighted to say that the majority of Clyst Vale’s students have achieved well enough to progress.

“Despite media reports that once again it’s an especially tough year for securing university places, nearly all of the College’s university candidates have secured a place at the university or college of their first choice, with a handful gaining their insurance place or being offered a similar course.

“But spare a thought for the tiny proportion of young people who aren’t in the 'nearly all'; we’re supporting one or two who have just missed out, and it’s a really tough day for them with their friends celebrating. We’ve worked with them for seven years, too.

“Congratulations to our students, and to all students nationally. Two years ago they did not sit GCSE exams due to Covid; their GCSE studies, an important preparation for A-levels, were badly disrupted by lockdowns.

“Teacher strikes didn’t help, although we brought exam classes in when we could, and taught remotely when we couldn’t. 

“I was frankly dismayed that the government did not recognise this, and have insisted in restoring results to pre-pandemic standards as if nothing happened. Students have done brilliantly and shown great resilience through all this."

The school's class of 2023 achieved a 98% pass rate with 25% of all grades at A* or A, and 51% at A*, A or B, which are slightly down on last year.

However, last year’s results were record results, with grades still protected.

Principal Bawn added: "Well done too to my colleagues, who have taught and supported our students throughout the past two years. And another well done to students’ families for all their support. Generally speaking, students who take their studies seriously, work hard, are taught well, and have good support at home will do just fine. It’s the students’ day: very well done to them on their achievements, and for their future achievements to come.”