PUPILS from Edgbarrow School in Crowthorne are preparing for life in higher education following a strong set of A Level results.
Staff at the school praised the students for doing “fantastically well” in the face of changes to the way in which the exams are held.
At least three students from the school will read subjects at Oxford or Cambridge universities, which almost nine in 10 of its vocational graders were distinction or dinstinction* grades.
Harry Bollands was celebrating after receiving a surprise set of grades. His A* grades for history and Spanish and an A for maths means he will go to Oxford to read history.
He said: “I wasn’t expecting it, I didn’t feel my exam went well, the results are more than I culd have hoped for.”
He added that his sister is already at Oxford and she loved it and he was looking forward to studying in the city.
Mason Williams gained two A* in maths and further maths and As in physics and psychology.
“I’m happy that all my hard work has paid off,” he said. “I’m going to Oxford to read engineering.
“It’s always been an interest, I’ve always been building things. I had to really push myself to get to Oxbridge.”
And this weekend will be a double celebration for the teenager.
“It’s my birthday tomorrow,” he beamed.
Alice Wood is a doctor in the making, after gaining A*s in biology, chemistry, German and Spanish and an A in maths.
“I really like languages and I didn’t want to give any of them up,” she said of her decision to take five subjects.
The teenager is going to study medicine at Birkbeck in London.
She said: “I love science, I find it fascinating. I’m going to live in London and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tony Evans, the school’s Head of Sixth Form, said: “We are once again extremely proud of our amazing students, who have done fantastically well this year overall at A Level and in the Vocational subjects, despite all the upheaval and changes to the exam system.
“We are delighted that so many of them (at all ability levels) achieved their ambitious targets and, again, it was the manner in which they did it that was so impressive. We loved working with this group of lovely students and we wish them all the best for the coming years.
“At least three students will be going to Oxford or Cambridge, we have a future doctor (who achieved 4 A*s and one A) and a number of other students who are going to elite universities or wonderful apprenticeships.
“Our A Level students achieved 63.1% A*-B (UCAS equivalency), and 86% of Vocational grades were at Distinction* or Distinction grades, which is very strong.
“We have consolidated last year’s results (in both A Level and Vocational subjects) and we’re grateful for the superb support of students’ families and the hard work of staff who, together, have helped to make this happen.
“Over 40 students achieved three or more A*- B grades at A-Level, with excellent grades overall, and 17 students achieved all A*/A grades at A Level or Distinction* / Distinction in their Vocational courses. All of this is really pleasing news and is a fitting reward for the teamwork and positive spirit that was evident throughout the year.”