Chippenham students celebrate record A Level results

Sixth formers at two of Chippenham's secondary schools were all smiles today as they celebrated another record year of exam results.

Pupils at Hardenhuish and Sheldon piled into the sixth form centres from 8am to collect their A Level results and find out if they'd made it to their chosen universities.

Hardenhuish was celebrating a total pass rate of 99% among their 149 students. Of those, 7% achieved A* grades and 61% scored an A or a B.

The results match the schools record year in 2009, although now there is double the number of students.

Headteacher Jane Hatherell, who only took up the top job at the school last year after 20 years teaching there, said: "They are just incredible results. We had 25 students get straight As. But there are also some fantastic stories among other pupils who achieved the three Cs they needed or did better than they imagined.

Ms Hatherell says almost all sixth former will go on to university with several off to study medicine and some are off to Oxbridge.

She also disagrees with anyone who says exams are getting easier, which of course crops up every year,

"You don't get these results without hard work. They all worked so hard, you don't see these rewards without effort. 

"Our achievements are boosted by more pupils coming up through the school to A level and because they're getting more able."

Down the hill at Sheldon students piled in at 9am to collect results.

Headteacher Gerard MacMahon was delighted with the school's results.

"We were among the top 30 schools in the country last year and it's even better this year.

"Overall we're really pleased. Its more competitive than ever for university places so they've all worked very hard."

A total of 31% of Sheldon students scored an A* or an A this year and the sixth form centre is the biggest in Wiltshire with 400 pupils.

We'll be posting details about Abbeyfield later when the results are published, in the meantime if you have any photos please send them our way!