Yeovil Students Excel On A-Level Results Day

Fingernails were well and truly chewed across the country today as students were left to sweat on their A-level results, and after months of hard work and waiting, nearly 400 Yeovil College AS and A Level students picked up their all important result envelopes...

Students on Full-time A Level courses have achieved an outstanding pass rate of 98%.

78% of passes were A* to C grades, an increase of 4% on 2010 results, while an outstanding 24% of passes were graded A* to A.

To achieve an A* grade at A Level, students must receive an A grade at AS Level and a mark of at least 90% in their second year.

100% pass rates were achieved in 19 of the 24 subject areas, including Biology, English Literature, Mathematics, Chemistry, Sociology, Psychology, History, English Language and Geography. High pass rates were also achieved in Business Studies (95%), Law (95%) and Physics (91%).

This year's star students included David Burns (18) of Yeovil, who achieved an outstanding three A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics.

David said: "I'm going to Birmingham University to do Physics. I've always been interested in Physics and the course at Yeovil College helped me develop my interest a lot.

"The lecturers didn't just teach the syllabus, they went further to encourage us to have a genuine interest in the subject. It made you want to find out more."

Jack Chant (18) of Martock achieved A* grades in Maths and Further Maths, as well as an A in Physics. The former Stanchester School pupil said: "I'm going to Birmingham University to study Maths. Yeovil College prepared me well for university.

"It was largely the reason why I chose a Further Education college rather than a sixth form. It's an independent environment and better preparation for university. I'm really pleased with my results. I've no plans to celebrate yet, but I'm sure I will do!"

Katie McCallum (18) of Yeovil gained an A* in English Literature and A grades in Biology and Psychology. The former Preston School pupil was delighted: "I am going to SOAS [the School of Oriental and African Studies] in London to do Arabic and Development Studies.

"Before then, I'm taking a gap year to do work related to my degree. I will be volunteering for a government organisation called the Centre for Social Justice and Tear Fund, where I will be part of the disaster management and advocacy team. I hope to work for a relief organisation after I finish my degree, maybe even overseas.

Former Preston School pupil Holly Milner (18) of Yeovil achieved an A* grade in Maths along with As in Further Maths and Business Studies. She said: "I'm going to Southampton University to study Maths with Finance because I hope to work in the financial sector one day.

"I'm really pleased with my results, I was so worried that I wouldn't get on my course, so it's really nice that I've got the grades. I've decided to treat myself to a MacBook to celebrate! My younger sister has one, so I kind of need one too! I'm really excited about going to uni."

Matt Nixon (18) of Yeovil gained three A grades, in Maths, Further Maths and Law. He said: "I'm going to study Maths with Economics at Exeter University. I was quite calm when I collected my results because I'd already had a text from Exeter University saying that I'd got in!

I've always been good at Maths and wanted to do it at a higher level. I didn't know a lot about Economics until I started studying it at Yeovil College, but I found it really interesting and particularly relevant at the moment. It's a great way to apply Maths to Business and a practical environment."

Nick Bromfield (18) of Misterton is a former Wadham School pupil. He achieved an A*grade in Maths, A in Physics and B in Further Maths. He said: "I'm going to the University of Sussex to study Theoretical Physics. I like Physics and Maths and Theoretical Physics combines the best of both worlds.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Yeovil College. The teaching was impeccable – I really can't think of anything bad to say about my experience!"

Former Westfield Community School pupil Liz Chapman (18) of Yeovil has a place to study Biology at Birmingham University. "I got an A* in Maths, A in Biology, B in Physics and an A* for my Extended Project Qualification." She said.

"I chose to do a degree in Biology because it's a wide ranging subject dipping into lots of different, interesting areas. I've decided to do a sandwich year working in industry.

"It's optional, but I hope doing it will aid my employment opportunities and give me the edge over other candidates. I hope to work in cancer research or genetics."

Former King Arthur's School pupil Frank Boyce (18) of Milborne Port received A grades in Business Studies and Maths, as well as a B in Physics. He said: "I'm going to Birmingham University to study Civil Engineering. I'm really interested in the subject because it uses a mixture of Maths and Physics, but is practical.

"It came out of my areas of interest and I'm very happy that I've got the results to go and study it. I hope to become a Civil Engineer."

More than 270 Yeovil College students have applied to university this year, including top Russell Group members Oxford, Cambridge, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Southampton, Warwick, Imperial College London and University College London.

Students have also applied to the University Centre Yeovil (UCY), which offers Higher Education courses validated by Bournemouth University, the University of the West of England and the University of Gloucestershire at its campus on Preston Road.

Several UCY courses, including BSc (Hons) Sustainable Graphics & Packaging and FdSc Garden History and Heritage Horticulture, are unique to the Centre.

Director of 14-19 Curriculum Andy Perlejewski said: "Although today is focussed on A Level students, it's also important to highlight the excellent achievements of Vocational students.

"A growing number of Vocational students in different subject areas are accessing Higher Education following on from their outstanding achievements at Yeovil College.

"Once again this year, there is a relatively even split between the students taking an academic or vocational route to university and we're proud that we produce students of such high calibre across the board."

Yeovil College Principal James Hampton was understandably chuffed with this year's excellent grades, adding: "I am truly delighted that our students have continued to shine by achieving exceptionally high pass rates in so many areas and wish them the very best for the future.

"Yeovil College aims to give all students the best possible preparation for university and work by providing outstanding opportunities to work with employers, fantastic facilities and excellent enrichment activities and trips.

"These results are the icing on the cake which will give our students every chance of accessing their chosen academic or career path in the future. Congratulations to them all."

Congratulations to everyone involved with this local success story - click here for the extended picture gallery!

Did you pick up your A-level results from a school or college in/around Yeovil today? Tell us how you fared, whether you achieved the marks you wanted and what you hope to do next!

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