The long wait was over for pupils across Dunmow as they collected their A Level results today (Thursday).
The Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre
The school is celebrating a 99 per cent pass rate for students, with some 25 per cent of results at A*-B.
Head of sixth form, Donna Wright said: “The results are a reflection of the dedication and commitment demonstrated by our students. This, combined with the support of staff and parents, has produced some outstanding results. I am extremely proud of our students and wish them all the best for the future.”
Head teacher, Simon Knight added: “I would like to congratulate all students on their achievements and wish them well in their future pathways in further study, training or employment.”
Last year the pass rate was 98 per cent, with about 33 per cent of grades at A*-B.
Helena Romanes couple Laura O’Neill and Callum Macpherson are both happy with their results and heading on holiday together before they start university in Scotland.
Laura is off to study mechanical engineering at Edinburgh university after finding out she had achieved an A* in maths, an in A in physics and an A in business.
Laura, 18, said: “I just a bit shocked. I am just overwhelmed. I am excited and a bit scared to go to university, mostly excited.”
Callum, who achieved an A and two Cs, will now be going onto study law and journalism at the University of Strathclyde.
Callum, 18, said: “The results blew my mind. I can go now home without being kicked out!”
When asked how he felt about receiving his results, he said: “I am free at last. The last couple of months I have been waiting for them, with my life in the lurch.”
Ellie Moodie, is going on to do a teaching apprenticeship at Great Dunmow Primary School in September, where she originally did work experience.
Ellie, who turned 18 last week received an A* in sociology, a distinction in applied sciences and a B in psychology.
She said: “I am quite overwhelmed, it still hasn’t sunk in.”
Karolina Daszewska ran to hug her friend when she discovered she had achieved a B in Polish and will be celebrating her results when she goes on holiday to Antigua with her family.
Karolina, who is Polish, has an unconditional offer from The University of Grenwich to study accounting and investment banking, said: “The course seems interesting and I like the lifestyle, like the chance to travel.”
Emily Willet was relieved when she opened the all-important envelope and saw she had achieved a D in psychology, as she had been struggling with thesubject all year.
Emily, will now go on to study law at Nottingham Trent university. She said: “I was really happy, I didn’t think I had done so well. I got a C in English and they had only just predicted me a C at the end of year. Now I’m just trying to figure out what to pack for university!”
Christian Pegrum, 19, was happy with his B in sociology as it was his weakest subject, and now plans to go travelling to Australia and Thailand.
Christian said: “I want to go experience my life and maybe when I return I will go to university.”
George Woosey and Lauran McNally also did particularly well. George Woosey achieved two A*’s in history and business, an A in EPQ and a B in geography. He will go onto to study business management at Leeds University.
Lauren achieved 3 A’s in Art, Photography and EPQ. She is going to study a foundation art and photography course at Southend.
Felsted School
Pupils at Felsted gained an impressive set of A Level results, with 65% of all grades A* to B and a 99.5% pass rate.
Many subjects achieved exceptional results with Spanish, government and politics, further maths and theatre studies all achieving 100% A*-B.
Headmaster Chris Townsend comments: “This is a very pleasing set of results, especially in a year when there has been a great deal of change to A Levels. They reflect a great deal of hard work from students and teachers, and I am very pleased to see so many Felsted pupils going off to the best universities around the world.”
Felsted’s top achiever was Alex Manson,18, from Little Dunmow, an academic scholar who gained three A*s and one A grade in Economics, History, Maths and Psychology respectively, considerably overachieving his offer of a place to read History at Warwick. He is now looking at an application to Oxbridge and Ivy League Universities next year. Alex balanced his studies with playing 1st XV rugby.
Head Girl Scarlett Coote,18 and from High Easter, gained an A* in English and two A grades in Classical Civilisation and History, and will be taking up a place to read Combined Honours in Social Sciences at Durham. An academic and drama scholar, Scarlett has performed in many Felsted drama productions over the years, including balancing her final year of study with the lead role of Fantine in Les Miserables.
Will Barker, Felsted’s Head Boy from Little Bardfield, will be taking up his place to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford, gaining three A*s and a B grade in Economics, History, Psychology and Maths respectively. Will was captain of the 1st XI rugby team and was recently awarded the Dorian Fisher Memorial Prize in an essay competition run by the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Poppy Timson, a member of 1st Essex Women’s cricket team gained two A*s in PE and Psychology and a C in Biology, meeting her offer to read Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough.
Gosfield School
Gosfield School in Halstead is celebrating their results with one third of all A level entries achieving A* and A*s. The number of A*s achieved this year at the school are double the average number achieved across the UK this year.
Gosfield student Pip Allen, who achieved three A*s in history, sociology and physchology, said:
“I am so happy about my results and very surprised; I thought that it was going to be a push to get AAB which was what I needed to study Law and Sociology at Warwick so I worked really hard towards that but never dreamed that I would exceed those with A*A*A*.”
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