Students at QEH Bristol receive their A-level results
Thousands of Bristol students have been praised for their A-level results, despite an overall drop across the country in the number of top grades awarded.
State sixth form colleges in the city reported a 97.7% overall pass rate for more than 4,200 students – with 45.0% gaining A*-B grades, in provisional figures released yesterday.
Across the country, the proportion of A-levels awarded an A or A* grade fell for the first time in over two decades. Some 26.6% of A-level entries achieved the top two grades – down from 27% last year.
The figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications also show that the overall pass rate has risen again for the 30th successive year.
The results also revealed a continuing fall in the numbers of pupils taking modern languages – with French, Spanish and German in decline – by 5.2%, 3.4% and 7.6% respectively.
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Clare Campion-Smith said the economic climate meant good exam results were more important than ever for young people.
With the latest unemployment figures released earlier this week showing youth unemployment still standing at more than one million, she said: “The city is very proud of its young people. These results reflect the dedication and talent of our young people and their teachers.
“In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that our young people have the best foundation possible to progress to the next stage of education, training or employment. Achieving good grades in A-levels and other qualifications such as Btecs and NVQs is a vital stepping stone. I congratulate them wholeheartedly on their results.”
The Oasis Academy reported a 100% pass rate in its first year of post-16 provision. North Bristol Post 16 Centre also reported a 100% pass rate, with students securing university places at the likes of Bristol, Manchester, Warwick and University College London.
Meanwhile, across the city:
Bristol Grammar School: 86% of the grades achieved were either A*, A or B. Some 54 students achieved a total of three or more As or A*s, including nine individuals who achieved three or more A*s.
City of Bristol College: Students celebrated an overall pass rate of 97%. College students also achieved 100% pass rate in 16 of the College’s most popular subjects including Physics, English Language and Psychology.
Bristol Cathedral Choir School: 48.2% of A-levels taken were passed at A*-B compared to 47% last year. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of all A-levels were awarded an A*-C.
Clifton College: Achieved record results, with 56% of all A levels graded A* and A. The figure is up by 6% on last year. The pupils achieved well over 100 A* grades, with strong numbers especially in maths, economics and chemistry.
Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital: QEH boys achieved a 100% pass rate for the seventh year running, with 97% of grades at A* to C grade and 85 per cent at A* to B. 39% of boys taking the examinations at the school achieved straight A* or A grades in their 3 or 4 A-level subjects. In all, over 60% of grades awarded to QEH candidates were at A* or A grade and 24% were awarded at the A* grade.
Despite the success, Ucas has reported a drop of nearly 7% in the number of applicants who have been accepted into a university or college.
Last night, it said 357,915 applicants have been accepted into a university or college, compared with 384,649 on results day last year. This represents a fall of 6.95%. About 79,000 UK applicants are still awaiting results or decisions.
A total of 629,140 people have so far applied this year to higher education institutions in the UK, compared with 681,593 at the same point in 2011. Over 10,000 have already applied directly into Clearing.
Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS Chief Executive, said: “More than 300,000 applicants whose places are dependent on their grades are waiting to hear if they have been accepted today.
“Despite the fall in applications this year, entry to higher education remains competitive and we expect to see an active Clearing period. Over 25,000 courses are showing vacancies for UK applicants. More than 50,000 people found a course in Clearing last year. It is important that all students research course requirements thoroughly and think carefully before making a decision that is likely to affect their future career.”
For more information about Clearing, visit the Ucas website here…
