Corks pop as 97 per cent celebrate a-level passes

Aug 15 2008 By Paloma Kubiak Melissa Allison-Forbes And Michael Russell

Nervous fingers tore at envelopes yesterday as students' long wait for their A-level results came to an end.

And more than ever had cause for celebration with another increase in A-level passes countrywide - early indications showing that this is a trend continuing in the borough.

Although the Local Education Authority was still collating the results as the Gazette went to press, headteachers and students shared their delight at an improvement in results from last year.

Chris Sydenham, headteacher of Ellen Wilkinson school for Girls, in Queen's Drive, Acton, put part of the success down to girls studying a wider range of subjects. She said: "We're very pleased we've had an improvement from last year, which is what we've been working towards. We have achieved a 66 per cent pass rate of A-Cs and one of our candidates was in the top 10 for Chemistry - out of 6,421 in the country.

"Because students study four Alevels in their first year and three in their second and final year, they can select subjects they might not have chosen and end up with three they really enjoy."

According to figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications there has been a record 827,737 Alevel entries nationally and the pass rate is 97.2 per cent, up from 96.9 per cent last year.

Alice Hudson, headteacher of Twyford C of E High School in Twyford Crescent, Acton, added: "Twyford students have more than exceeded expectations. We received a record-breaking set of A-level grades, 60 per cent of exams were graded A or B. And 12 per cent of students achieved a clean sweep of straight As in all their subjects."

Ealing Hammersmith and West London College, Southall campus

HEAD Beatrice Movaghar said: "We have done extremely well and I am chuffed by the large numbers who have worked so hard to get the best possible results.

"We have achieved a 98 per cent pass rate which means 9.8 out of every ten have managed to get their excellent grades."

Harpal Bansal, 18 from Southall, got three As in biology, chemistry and psychology.

"I feel really happy with my results. I always wanted three As, it was my target. After the exams I was not sure if I did that well, but I had self-belief. You have to believe in yourself because no one knows you like yourself. I'm going to go out with my family and celebrate tonight, then I'll probably go out with my mates next week.

Harpal plans to take a gap year and work part time, after which she will study medicine at university.

Nottinghill and Ealing High School

RETIRING head Susan Whitfield was thrilled the school achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, 93per cent A-Cs and 71.4per cent gained grade As.

Mrs Whitfield who has been at the school for 17 years said: "The girls are really happy with their results and I am thrilled for them.

"The staff here were brilliant and they have been really supportive of the girls. I do not think A-levels are getting easier.

"They have to learn so much because the subjects are broader.

"A-levels are hard, but different from many years ago."

Alex Barry, 18, who lives in Ealing, said: "I got three As in biology, chemistry and history.

"I wasn't sure if I would get my grade in history but I'm really pleased about my results.

"My family are really happy for me as it's been really stressful for me, especially in the last two months, its been very challenging and lots of hard work. It has been nice relaxing over the summer and preparing for my first year at Oxford University where I will be studying medicine."

Alex, who has had hearing problems since birth, said she never saw this as a problem and just carried on in life normally.

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

AYSHA Tariq, 18, who lives in West Ealing was one of the top 10 chemistry students in the country, missing a full 100 per cent pass rate by only one mark.

Aysha achieved As in physics, chemistry and maths and took an A-level in Urdu in her first year and also got A in general studies.

She said: "I'm very surprised as I didn't expect to do so well.

"My parents will be very pleased as I found physics quite tough.

"I have really enjoyed my time here and the teaching has been excellent but I'm looking forward to going to King's College to study maths."