A-level success for York, North and East Yorkshire (From York Press)

A-level success for York, North and East Yorkshire

9:05am Thursday 16th August 2012 in News By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

>>> See our A-level results picture gallery here

 

THOUSANDS of teenagers across York, North and East Yorkshire receive their A-level results today.

Initial signs show that it’s going to be another record year for students with York College achieving its best ever A-level results with a 99.7 per cent pass rate.
 

There were 1181 A Level exam entries this summer at the college with 77 A* grades achieved by York College students, and nearly half of the total A-level entries achieved the very top grades of A*, A or B.

Two students have successfully secured places at Oxford University: Ben Middleton, formerly of Manor CE School, will study philosophy, politics and economics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford and Joe Towse, formerly of Millthorpe School, will study Law at Magdalen College, Oxford.

Olga Loza is the college’s top student this year. She has achieved an amazing 4 A* grades in French, English literature, maths and further maths and two A grades in psychology and Spanish. Olga also achieved an A* grade for her Extended Project Qualification. She will now progress to St Andrews University to study psychology.

Annie Turney, formerly of York High School, achieved three A* grades and one A grade and is going on to Durham University to study Law.
Ryan Elsley, formerly of The Snaith School, achieved two A*s and two A grades and will study medicine at Newcastle University.
 

Many more high flying students will progress to some of the top universities to study prestigious subjects, including:
Naomi Milner (A*A*A B), formerly of Howden School - destination Warwick University to study Maths
Anna Hinchcliffe ( A*A*A C), formerly of The Snaith School - destination York University to study German and Linguistics
Ming-An Li (A*A*A), formerly at school in Taiwan - destination University College London to study Chemical Engineering
George Fletcher (A*A*A), formerly of Canon Lee School - destination Manchester University to study Maths
Liam Morgan (A*AAA), formerly of Archbishop Holgate’s School - destination St Andrews University to study English and Philosophy
Emma Sage (A*AAA), formerly of Wolgate College, Pocklington – destination London School of Economics to study Politics and Philosophy
Dr Alison Birkinshaw, Principal of York College, said: “I am overjoyed that once again we have surpassed our previous year’s A Level pass rate. The 99.7% pass rate, the exceptional number of high grades and the success of our students are all testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone at York College. These results will give our students a real advantage when they move on to higher education and employment and I would like to wish them all every success in their future careers, they really deserve it.”

Across the city at Fulford School head teacher Steve Smith saluted youngsters after another top notch set of results.

He said: “These results have been achieved through the hard work, determination and ability of our youngsters allied with teaching of the highest quality backed up by outstanding care, guidance and support from both teaching and support staff. Like that of Team GB it is an incredible team effort that has delivered these fantastic results. The only differences are that Fulford maintains this year in and year out not every four years and does so with a fraction of resources.

“Certainly there is much evidence to refute the allegation that standards have fallen. So let us reject these comments and instead acknowledge the success and efforts of our teachers and youngsters. The results at Fulford alongside those of all the other York schools provide further evidence of the excellent quality of the state sector in the City of York. As the headteacher of Fulford School I am proud and privileged to work with so many committed and positive young people and staff.”

Among the school’s top performers were: Georgia Faletas (1A* & 4As), Emma French (3A* & 1A), Ben Kybet (4A* & 2As), Johnny Minshull-Beech (3A* & 1A) and Helen Thompson (3 A* & 1A) all have been awarded places at Oxford.

Meanwhile Tom Byrne (4A* & 1A) has been awarded a place at Cambridge and five candidates who applied to study Medicine who have also been successful. They are:
Norbert Banhidy (1A* 3As 1C), Sam Ensor (2A* & 2As), James Hicks (1A* 3As & 1C), Sarah Taylor (1A* & 3As) and Matthew Thompson (2A* 1A & 1B)
Other excellent results: Charlotte Page (4A* & 1A), Tom Binnington (3A* & 2As), Bethany Plummer (4A*s), Emma French (3A* & 1A)
In North Yorkshire Easingwold School’s outgoing interim head teacher, Geoff Jenkinson, today paid tribute to the achievements of the school’s Year 13 students as they celebrated an excellent set of A-level results.
“When I joined the school in February, I saw immediately what potential these students have,” he said. “I am delighted that students across the range of ability have made such good progress and that the vast majority are now able to take the next important step in their careers. These results are a testament to the commitment and hard work of students and staff, and the support of parents.”

This year saw particular success for students who intend to study science and engineering at university, with several set to join Russell Group universities, including Oxford. They include Caitlin Armstrong of York who will read chemistry at Oxford University after gaining an A* and two A grades, Tom Emmens who achieved two A* grades and an A and will study physics at Edinburgh University, and Harriet Flynn who will read biochemistry at Nottingham University after gaining an A* and two A grades.
The overall A level pass rate was 99 per cent and nearly half of the total A level entries gained the top grades - A*, A or B. Ten students (11% of the A level cohort) achieved straight A* or A grades. 21 subjects had a pass rate of 100%. In addition five students have achieved the International Baccalaureate Diploma with an average score of 30 out of a possible 45, equivalent to 2 A grades and a B at A level plus a B at AS level. Particular successes included Natalie Jones who achieved 37 points and has won a place to study history at the University of St. Andrews.
 

Other notable achievements include:
• Rebecca Chubb who gained three A grades at A level and a B at AS level and will read nursing at Leeds University;
• Emma Durkin who has won a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study food marketing management after achieving one A* and two A grades;
• Tom Frane, who achieved one A* and two A grades at A level and one A grade at AS level and will study geology at Liverpool University;
• Alex Frusher who gained two A grades and a B and will read engineering at either Bristol or Durham University;
• Katie Gascoyne who has won a place to read law at the University of East Anglia after gaining two A grades and a B at A level and an A at AS level;
• William Marrows who gained an A* and two A grades at A level and a further A at AS level;
• Rory McMillan who achieved three A grades and will study geology at Manchester University;
• Rebecca Thomas who has also won a place at Manchester University after achieving an A* and two A grades;
• James Wilson who intends to study medicine after gaining an A* and two A grades at A level and an A at AS level.