We’re proud of you

There was joy for hundreds of Oldham A-level students this morning as passes rose again for the 26th year in a row.

But those who just missed their expected marks face a tough time getting a university place as spaces allocated through the clearing process will be halved this year.

And students with higher than expected grades may find it impossible to trade up to another university.

Crompton House and North Chadderton schools both reported record results and students with confirmed Oxbridge places. Crompton House celebrated a 98 per cent pass rate, 52 per cent at A or B grades.

Head teacher Elsie Tough said: “They are our best results for a number of years. The students and staff have worked very hard for the past two years and the school is incredibly proud of them.

“We have two Oxbridge students, Rose Edge and Thomas Partington, nine students achieved four grade As and 21 achieved three As.

“Almost all of our 160 Year 13 students will be off to university this autumn.

“I am proud of them all and wish them every success for the future.”

Rose will study philosophy and theology at Queens College, Oxford, after getting A grades in biology, English language, religious studies and general studies.

Thomas is off to Downing College, Cambridge, to study engineering, with A grades in maths, chemistry, physics and a B in further maths.

Other pupils who achieved four grade As were Claire Booth, Nathaniel Crawford, Helen Daly, Rebekah Hayes, Kate Johnstone, James Jones and Lucy Newton.

Two North Chadderton Sixth-Form students are also off to Cambridge. Rebecca Collins, who gained four As and a B will study English and Alex Vickers will study medicine after getting four As.

Exams officer Iain Windeatt said: “Once again we are delighted. The pass rate is 99.1 per cent which is in line with last year’s exceptional results.

“We are particularly pleased with the number of students who have passed with such high grades, 49 per cent achieving A and B.

“The vast majority of our students will now be able to go on to take up the course of their choice at university and others will embark upon their intended career.”

Other students with top marks were Alex Vickers (four As) and Ryan Murray (three As and a B).

He added: “These results reflect the hard work of the students, staff and the support of parents and family as part of the sustained drive to achieve the highest standards at North Chadderton.

“We are proud of the achievements of all our students and wish them every success with their future plans.”

Oldham Sixth Form College principal Nick Brown celebrated the best results in the 17 years since the college opened.

He said the number of A grades at maths AS level had tripled from 40 last year to 121 this year — describing the achievement as remarkable and outstanding.

He added: “The college specialises in science and the harder subjects, and As in physics, biology and maths A level and AS level are up considerably.

“It shows the progress we have made in science and maths at this college. I’m amazed and absolutely delighted.

“We don’t play league table games. We will take students as long as they are prepared to work hard and they have done absolutely magnificently.

“The strong results across the board this year have been absolutely fantastic.”

At Blue Coat School, where results improved on last year’s record, deputy head Brian Devenport said: “Just under 50 per cent of grades are A and B which is a record, and we are highly delighted.”