Gallery and results: Essex

A-LEVEL students in Essex have been celebrating another superb set of results today as the long wait for grades to be revealed finally ended.

Essex county councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education said: “I would like to congratulate all of our students for their hard work.

“Many will now be taking the next steps towards further education, while others will be looking forward to entering the world of work. Whatever their plans, I want to wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

“Essex County Council is dedicated to increasing educational achievement across the county, and ensuring that all children get the education they deserve.

“We are also committed to building the best education system so that every pupil can go on to fulfil their potential, be it academically or vocationally.

“We have some tremendous schools in Essex, and pupils, teachers and parents all play a big part in making our educational achievements will among the best in the country.”

Connexions (the information and support service for all 13-19 year olds if offering additional support and advice to students who have just received their results.

For more information visit www.essexconnexions.co.uk or call Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19.

- Colchester Royal Grammar School scored a 100% pass rate, with 90% of all grades at A or B.

Headmaster Ken Jenkinson said: “I am delighted for the students who have once again excelled this year. This year group was so positive and supportive and set a fine example to the rest of the school inside and outside the classroom.

“The results were very strong across all departments and the teachers deserve great credit for their dedication.”

- Plume School, in Maldon, achieved a 97% A-E pass rate, the same as last year. 38% of students achieved A or B grades.

Headteacher David Stephenson said: “There is a great deal for our students to celebrate.

“The results represent fantastic levels of achievement by the growing numbers of students that choose to continue their education at Plume School.

“Many of our students have achieved excellent results which can be attributed to their industriousness over the duration of the courses.

“However, credit must also go to the teachers, who have worked extremely hard, and students' parents whose support is invaluable.

“Many Plume students are now planning to study at degree level - I am pleased to say that, of the 83 who have applied for university places, the vast majority have achieved the required grades.

“Plume's involvement in the Aim Higher scheme, which encourages students to consider higher education after school, continues to have an increasing effect on the number of students wishing to take this route.”

- New Hall School in Chelmsford enjoyed a 100% pass rate at grades A-E, with 78% at either A or B.

Head of Sixth Form Hannah Kiernan, said: “An impressive 47% of grades were at the top grade A and a record 21 students achieved 3, 4 or 5 As at A Level, which is one third of New Hall's largest A Level cohort.

“We are proud of all the students' successes and it is wonderful to see their excitement today after all their hard work.”

- Colchester Sixth Form College achieved pass rates at grades A-E of 98%, with 50% of those at A-B.

A spokeswoman for the college said: “Students have achieved outstanding A and AS Level results in this Summer's examination series, the best overall A-level results attained by students at the College to date.

“Indeed, this is the fourteenth consecutive year that the College results have improved.”

- Colchester County High School for Girls chalked up a 100% pass rate.

- Braintree College achieved a 98% pass rate at grades A-E, with 72% achieved at grades A-C, both significant improvements on 2008.

Interim Principal Jim Addison said: “I am delighted this year with the results for our A Levels and vocational qualifications. The College takes enormous pride in preparing students for work or further study.

“As we progress with the merger between ourselves and Colchester Institute we are aiming to broaden our curriculum in order to offer more students a wider choice of courses, providing young people with the skills that employers need.”

- Chelmsford County High School saw 99% of students pass at grade A to E, with 86% of passes at grades A or B.

Nicole Chapman, Headteacher at Chelmsford County High School, commented, “We are delighted with the results gained by our students. They have exceeded our expectations and as a school we have improved on last year's results. “

“The girls have achieved outstanding results with 12 successful offers of places at Oxford and Cambridge. We will be providing full support and advice to the few students who slightly missed the entrance criteria.”

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