A new level!

THRILLED Shakti Kumpavat proved he was Hulme Grammar’s superstar as he scooped straight A*s across the board. He grabbed five top grades in maths, further maths, physics, chemistry and critical thinking. A place at Cambridge University awaits him as he prepares to move there next month to study engineering. He said: “I am absolutely thrilled with my results.”

Scramble for university places begins
THE wait is finally over for nervous A-level students who opened their exam results today amid an unprecedented scramble for university places.

The borough’s brightest stars bagged a crop of the top A* grades to make their future education dreams a reality.

However, some were facing a tough day as clearing — the process that matches students with courses still available — was expected to last just a matter of hours.

A surge in applications has been witnessed this year, with almost 675,000 students keen to avoid a hike in tuition fees planned for 2012 entrants.

Bagging a place this year will mean fees of around £3,000, however many course costs will treble to £9,000 next September.

Experts were predicting 200,000 students to miss out this year as a result of the intense competition.

Hulme Grammar School’s results were slightly down on last year’s 100 per cent pass rate, coming in at 99.7 per cent.

Principal Dr Paul Neeson said: “We’re delighted with the results, we almost doubled the percentage of A* grades achieved.” He also slammed education reforms due to take effect next year.

He added: “I believe all our students will get their first place or insurance place at university.

“It’s dreadful that a 21-year-old could have a £50,000 debt burden round their neck”

Crompton House celebrated a stellar performance by pupils despite results also being down, 1 per cent on last year’s record 99.5 per cent pass rate. Over half of students’ grades were A*, A or B.

Oldham Sixth Form toasted a 98 per cent pass rate, with 72 per cent of their 2,100 students gaining A-C grades.

Principal Jayne Clarke said: “We have seen a considerable increase in the number of A* grades awarded this year, marking truly outstanding performances.”

While North Chadderton Sixth Form also reported a 98 per cent pass rate, including talented student Michael Shaw who scooped four A* grades.