A Level results praised by headteacher Dr Richard Steward.

STUDENTS at The Woodroffe School, in Lyme Regis, have achieved excellent results at A Level, with most students attaining or exceeding their target grades. The overall pass rate was 99 per cent, up from last year’s 98 per cent and above the national average.

The percentage of grades A*/A grades was 22 per cent, with 48 per cent of students gaining an A*, an A or a B.

There were some outstanding individual performances, with a number of students gaining the new A* grade. Lucy de Greeff achieved an exceptional set of results, with three A* grades at A-Level and an A* in her Extended Project. Josh Beckers gained two A*s and an A grade; Vicky Bovill achieved one A* and three A grades; James Jones, Hannah Storey and Alice Johnson all gained one A* and two A grades; Ed Thomas achieved three A grades and a B; Ceri Ashcroft and Emma Bright gained three A grades; Bethan Jones and Will O’Shea both achieved one A*, one A and a B.

Results were equally impressive at AS level, with Jenny Clarke gaining 4As and a C; Chris Brown achieving three As and two Bs; and James Bond three As and two Cs.

Dr Richard Steward, headteacher, said: “As ever, this is a very impressive set of results and I am delighted that so many of our students have done so well.

“I am particularly pleased that the vast majority have secured places at the universities of their choice, despite the very worrying picture nationally. It is also encouraging to see a good crop of the new A* grades, as well as a rise in the number of A grades achieved this year.”

Dr Steward added: “A-Level students work incredibly hard nowadays and, though it is fashionable to assume that standards have declined, the amount of work sixth formers now have to do has made gaining qualifications at this level in many ways much harder that it used to be.

“Students now have to take modules throughout the year, as well as examinations at the end of the course, and they also have to complete some very demanding coursework assignments.

“They also tend to take four AS levels and then go on to take three A Levels, with some tackling additional qualifications like the Extended Project, Critical Thinking or General Studies. The hard work of A-Levels students should not, therefore, be underestimated, nor should we forget the added pressures caused by the demands of the university system and the increasing competition for places.”