PUPILS are celebrating some of the county’s best ever A-level results after collecting their grades this morning.

With the introduction of higher tuition fees next year, the competition for places this summer is stronger than ever before.

At Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham 124 students sat their A-level exams, with 78% achieving A* to C grades and 99% A* to E.

Headteacher Colin Hirst congratulated all the youngsters and teachers for their hard work.

“We are delighted with the results,” he said. “The points per student were actually the best we have achieved.

“I am very pleased for the students. Lots of them are now in very good positions to take up offers of places at universities. I am grateful to the staff for all their hard work.”

Mr Hirst said next year’s introduction of university tuition fees had had an impact on students.

“I think they understand that it will be more competitive – particularly for some of the more traditional universities,” he said. “However I do know of one or two who are still going to be taking a gap year.”

At Leiston Community High School 62 youngsters sat the exams, with 68% achieving A* to C grades and 98% achieving A* to E.

Headteacher Ian Flintoff said: “That’s a really good performance. I think students are much more aware of the pressure that they are under and the amount of debt they are likely to incur.

“A number of students who might otherwise have gone to university are beginning to take up other options such as training at work.”

At Woodbridge School 82 pupils sat their A-levels with 91.8% achieving A* to C grades and 100% achieving A* to E.

Half the papers were graded A* or A and the average grade for all students was equivalent to AAB.

Headmaster Stephen Cole said: “These are yet again record results, even more impressive because they are gained in the prime cut subjects on the A-level menu.

“Our reputation in mathematics, physics and foreign languages is further enhanced by this year’s achievements, which open the doors of our students to the most selecting universities in the kingdom.”

Ying Gu, a former pupil from Britannia Primary School in Ipswich, secured his place to read mathematics at Imperial College in London with five A* grades, in mathematics, further mathematics, physics, computing and economics.

At Framlingham College 96 students sat A-levels with 89.3% achieving A* to C grades and 99.7% achieving A* to E.

Meanwhile more than a third of all grades were A* or A.

Headmaster Paul Taylor said he was “very pleased” with a “fine set “of results that confirmed Framlingham as one of the leading academic schools in the area.

“It is good to see the combined efforts of students, teachers and parents being rewarded,” he added.

At Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge 211 students sat A-levels, with 80% achieving A* to C grades and 99.5% achieving A*-E.

Headteacher Sue Hargadon said they were absolutely thrilled with another year of outstanding results.

“This is a real tribute to the hard work of a super group of students and the support they were given by staff and parents.”

She said particular credit should go to Alice Doorly, Laetitia Goodchild, Beth Johnson and Rob Marshall who achieved four A* grades each and Charlotte Balmer, James Barnard, Kris Barnsley, Luke Hobson, Rowan Mellor and Julia Payne, who achieved three A* grades each.

Almost 70% of students taking A Levels at Stowupland High School achieved grades A* to C.

Headteacher Karen Grimes said: “There were very strong individual and subject performances across science and mathematics, the communicative and creative arts, and humanties which underline both the breadth and depth of our students’ abilities.

“Whilst employers often bemoan the lack of employability skills, Stowupland students continue to demonstrate the high levels of knowledge and understanding, application and communication which will enable them to make the very best of opportunities in higher education and employment.”

Stowmarket high School headteacher Keith Penn said he and his team were “very pleased” with the grades pupils had achieved this year, with 80% heading off to their first choice universities.

He said: “We’re delighted and it couldn’t come at a better time because there is immense competition for university places this year.”

One outstanding achiever was Jordan Cracknell, who picked up A* grades in maths further maths and additional further maths.

The school had 100 pupils sitting exams, with 68.3% achieving A* to C and just under 99% of grades falling within the A* to E bracket.

The A* to E pass rate at Diss high School this year was 99% and headteacher Dr Janet hunt said more than 90% of the teenagers had already had their university places confirmed.

She said: “We are thrilled and delighted with these superb results. This is the reward of very hard work by staff and students.”

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