ASHTON Sixth Form College is celebrating a record-breaking set of results from this year’s A-levels.
Not even the significant disruptions experienced by the class of 2022 caused by the Covid-19 pandemic stopped students achieving a near-perfect pass rate, with more than ever before in a normal examination series gaining the highest grades.
Notable successes include St Thomas More’s James Poff (A*AA in Maths, Physics and Geography) and Sam Seaborn (A*A*A* in Business, Geography and Economics) and Rory Tyler, who went to Stalybridge’s West Hill School (also A*A*A* in Business, Geography and Economics), all achieving their required grades to take up their places at Oxford and Cambridge to read Geography.
Other successful Oxbridge applicants, making this year the most successful year ever for Ashton Sixth Form College students, include:
Aisha Benhamida (A*A*AA in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Further Maths)
Robert Doherty (A*A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science)
Melissa Lee (A*A*A in Psychology, Sociology and Law with an additional B and A in the EPQ and Core Maths)
Hannah Benson (A*A*A in History, Law and English Language)
Oliver Gaskell from West Hill School (A*A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Computer Science).
Hannah McCormick, who attended Dukinfield’s All Saints Catholic College (University of Durham to study Maths), Xara Broomhead (University of Durham to study Maths) and Jessica Pinnock (Manchester Metropolitan University to study Maths) all achieved A* in Further Maths, contributing to a record number of A* grades being achieved by students in that subject in the college’s history.
Rikin Mistry – who went to Oldham Hulme Grammar School – has also secured a place on a rare and highly competitive sponsored degree at The University of Manchester with Price Waterhouse Coopers to study Business and Accounting after achieving A*AB in Maths, Accounting and Economics.
Robbie Evans, who went to Longdendale High School, achieved full marks of 50 out of 50 in his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which alongside A*A*A in his A-level subjects have seen him secure a place to study Law at The University of Nottingham.
Individual successes made for a collective haul to be proud of for the Darnton Road college, which saw a 99 per cent pass rate across A-Level and equivalent courses and a 100 per cent pass rate for full time vocational courses with more than four fifths of students achieving the highest grades of Distinction or Distinction*.
43 courses had a 100 per cent pass rate and almost two thirds of A-Level students achieved the most coveted A*-B grades.
Across A-Level and equivalent courses, students notched up an impressive 1,356 A* and A (or equivalent) grades.
Centre Principal, Lisa Richards, said: “I am immensely proud of what our students have achieved this year.
“They have demonstrated enormous resilience and determination in the face of the challenges and disruptions presented by Covid-19 over the past two years, not only completing their courses but managing to produce the best set of grades ever achieved at the college in a normal examined year.
“It is particularly heartening that the overwhelming majority of our students have achieved the grades they needed to secure their next step, whether this be a place at university or an apprenticeship or employment opportunity in their chosen field.
“These results show what can be done with hard work, commitment, high aspirations and self-belief.
“A huge ‘well done’ to all our 2022 leavers, and a big thank you to our students’ parents/carers for their invaluable and unwavering support.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Ashton Sixth Form College whose dedication, passion, professionalism and care have played a key role in our students’ success.
“Well done, class of 2022 – wishing you a bright and happy future.”