WITH more than 45 per cent of students at Churcher’s College in Petersfield achieving A* and A grades in their A levels, this year’s group of students have exceeded expectations.
Headmaster Simon Williams said: “With all the changes that have been taking place with A levels, linking one year with another becomes like comparing apples and pears.
“There has always been a natural variation in ability between year groups but this is being exacerbated by exam structure changes such as no re-take opportunities and the loss of modular exams.
“What doesn’t change, however, is the Churcher’s students’ determination to give and get the best, inside and outside the classroom.”
He added that with 18 per cent of the A levels graded A* and over 45 per cent A* and A grade, the level of A level success means students invariably achieve their aspirations.
Four A* grades, in maths, chemistry, biology and physics enabled Owen Tutt to accept a place to study natural science at Cambridge University.
The 18-year-old from Dockenfield, near Farnham, said he was relieved to have achieved the top marks, especially after changes to the A level system.
He said he was grateful to teachers at Churcher’s who had helped with every aspect of his academic work.
The London College of Fashion is where artist Libby Gervais, of Petersfield, will be heading to study for a degree in fashion marketing, thanks to an A* in art and As in English and maths.
Also travelling to London will be Liphook girl Zahra Coulthard, who achieved 100 per cent in her religion and philosophy A level, alongside an A* in art and B in English.
She started at Churcher’s at the age of five and is hoping for a career in advertising or marketing after completing a degree in history of art and archaeology at University College London.
Dropping just one mark in economics kept Adam Haldenby, of Petersfield, from achieving three A* but that will not stop him from going to Warwick University to study the subject further.
With A* in maths and geography, he may seek a re-mark to improve his grade in economics.
As a keen member of Guildford Rugby Football Club, he hopes to continue playing the sport at university.
Building on his A*s in history and geography and an A in politics, Joe Twitchen, of Liphook, is looking forward to studying architecture at Manchester University.
And Natalie Smith, of Bedhampton, who loved her time at Churcher’s, couldn’t quite believe she had the A grades in biology, chemistry and geography, which means she can achieve a childhood dream of studying medicine.