Students celebrate top A-level grades

High standards were maintained and in some cases records broken as the latest cohort of Wigan borough sixth form students received their A-level results.
Students Beth Scott, Meg Porter and Roslyn Knight, from Winstanley CollegeStudents Beth Scott, Meg Porter and Roslyn Knight, from Winstanley College
Students Beth Scott, Meg Porter and Roslyn Knight, from Winstanley College

It was another bumper year with hundreds if not thousands of teens gaining the desired grades with many now heading off to university and an increasing number preferring the apprenticeship option.

Regularly one of the top performing sixth form centres in the country, Winstanley College, again enjoyed some spectacular results.

A staggering 140 of its students gained As or A*s.

Rachel Stott and Rebecca Talbot celebrate their A-level results at Winstanley CollegeRachel Stott and Rebecca Talbot celebrate their A-level results at Winstanley College
Rachel Stott and Rebecca Talbot celebrate their A-level results at Winstanley College
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The majority of students secured a place at their first choice university, many of them at Russell Group establishments including Oxford or Cambridge.

Principal Louise Tipping said: “It has been another very successful year for results and we are really proud of all our students and their exceptional achievements.

“Dedicated staff have worked tirelessly to support these hard-working students and it’s great that all that combined effort has paid off.”

Orrell St John Rigby College staff and students were also on a high after another impressive set of results.

Students celebrate their A Level results at St John Rigby CollegeStudents celebrate their A Level results at St John Rigby College
Students celebrate their A Level results at St John Rigby College
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A pass rate of almost 100 per cent was achieved for the fourth year running and more than half of the grades achieved were A* to B grades or equivalent (all but matching last year’s record).

Principal Peter McGhee said: “It has been another fabulous year for us, I am pleased to say.

“Out of the 600 students, 23 are in clearing but almost everyone else who has applied to university has got into their first choice place. We also have a few more students this year who are going into higher level apprenticeships which are increasing in popularity.”

The Deanery Sixth Form celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate in 31 out of 32 subjects.

Rachel Stott and Rebecca Talbot celebrate their A-level results at Winstanley CollegeRachel Stott and Rebecca Talbot celebrate their A-level results at Winstanley College
Rachel Stott and Rebecca Talbot celebrate their A-level results at Winstanley College
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over 75 per cent of A-level and equivalent results were A* to C and 60 per cent of vocational results were awarded distinction star or distinction.

Head of sixth form Anthea Friend said: “This is an exceptional performance from our hard-working students and we are so proud of them all. The results reflect the hard work of the students and staff alike.”

Astley St Mary’s RC High celebrated its best ever A-level and BTEC results.

Almost everyone passed everything but there was a big hike in higher grades with 53.6 per cent of all grades A*/A or their equivalent, an 71.1 per cent were A* to B and 89 per cent A* to C or their equivalent.

Students celebrate their A Level results at St John Rigby CollegeStudents celebrate their A Level results at St John Rigby College
Students celebrate their A Level results at St John Rigby College
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Head Andrew Dawson said: “The results that the students have achieved are outstanding due to their ability, hard work and determination. We all know though that natural ability needs to be nurtured, challenged and channelled and I thank all the staff within the school who have supported our students academically and pastorally.”

And at Wigan UTC engineering once again had a 100 per cent pass rate and this year has seen even more success with over 84 per cent of students achieving the very highest distinction and distinction star grades in their extended diploma.

Head of college Elaine Delahunt said: “It has been another hugely successful year here at Wigan UTC and we are very proud of the success of all of our students. Our key focus is ensuring students have the right opportunities presented to them in order to support their academic and professional development, and this year’s results and student destinations certainly confirm the staff have student success at their centre.”

Coun Joanne Platt, portfolio holder for young people, said: “The wait is finally over for all those students in our schools and colleges who sat A Level or equivalent qualifications this summer and I’d like to congratulate everyone who has received their results today. I am sure that the hard work many of our young people have put into their studies will have paid off.”

Related topics: