STUDENTS at a Northwich sixth form college have bucked the national trend with 200 making a clean sweep of all A* and A grades in their A-levels.
In the year exam boards in England returned to 2019 pre-pandemic marking procedures, a total of 448 Sir John Deane’s students bagged a least three grades at A*-B, an impressive 77 per cent.
A whopping 46 percent of all grades awarded at the college, rated 'Oustanding' by Ofsted in its most recent inspection this year, were either A* or A.
This is an unexpected improvement on its last pre-pandemic performance, which saw the 466-year-old college ranked amongst the top 50 institutions in the country.
It was a great day for the college’s BTEC students too, with 82 per cent of grades awarded either distinction or distinction*.
Sir John Deane’s principal, Christopher Atherton, said: “In the year where grades nationally have returned to their 2019 levels, I am incredibly proud that our students have surpassed our remarkable 2019 results.
“These amazing results are a testament to the extra-ordinary hard work of our students and their teachers.”
Students at the college have secured places at some of the UK’s top universities, with 32 getting on the most competitive courses for medicine, veterinary science and dentistry degree courses.
Nine students are now set for elite Oxford and Cambridge universities, and many have chosen to kick-start their careers in industry, after achieving the grades for a highly sought-after degree and higher-level apprenticeships.
Matthew Snelson, CEO of the Sir John Brunner Foundation multi-academy trust, said: "These remarkable outcomes stand as a testament to the resolute determination and talent of our students, the expertise and support provided by our dedicated colleagues at Sir John Deane’s, and the care and guidance provided by parents and carers.
“This partnership is at the heart of these achievements."
José Martins, who was born and raised in Venezuela and Panama, is among the 200 top acheivers.
The 18-year-old, who only started to learn English when he was 11, said: "When I got over here, I found English people all talk so funny I couldn't understand a word.
"I'm excited about moving to York. I don't know anyone else who's going there though, but that's not necessarily bad.
"I've always been into mathsy stuff and computers.
"I find computers really simple. I just get them, like some people just get cooking."
Emmy McCarthy, from Oakmere, really aced it with a full house of A*s in electronics, maths and physics. She plans to joing the RAF as a weapons systems operator.
"It's for the lifestyle really", she said.
"I love travelling and seeing new places, and the fact I'll get paid instead of going into debt.
"I'm doing my private pilot's licence at the moment, working part-time to pay for it.
"I'm not worried about not going to uni. It's never really appealed, to be honest."
Sophie Randall did maths, biology, and chemistry, and travelled all the way from Abersoch, where she's working as a waitress for the summer, to get he results today.
She's delighted with her A*AA grades.
"I'm taking a gap year", she said.
"I've no idea what I want to do, so I'm taking a bit of time to think.
"I'll definitely be going travelling though. I think my nanna and I are going to Australia, but she's just got a puppy. I don't know how we're going to get around that one."
Elliot Barker got BCC in law, psychology and economics, and is headed for the RAF too, where he also hopes to be a weapons systems operator.
He said: "My family are all in aviation, so I know what it's all about.
"I've also been in the air cadet force for six years, and I've loved every minute."
"The last two years have been stressful at times, but it was all worth it in the end.
"The staff at Sir John Deane's really push you, but they're also incredibly supportive.
"They all just really want you to achieve."
Ethan Sands got straight A*s in maths, physics, and biology.
He off the the University of Liverpool to study physcis 'because I like it, and I'm good at it', he said.
"I'm looking forward to some independence. The staff are excellent at Sir John Deane's, though they push you quite hard."
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