YOUNG people with aspirations of becoming doctors, lawyers, scientists and engineers collected their results at Priestley College today.
Among them was Matthew Peach who earned A*s in Biology, Maths and German along with an A in Chemistry to secure his place at Oxford University studying Biochemistry.
“I can’t wait to get there now,” said Matthew, a former Cardinal Newman pupil. “I visited Oxford with Priestley and straight away I liked the atmosphere and found the staff really friendly.”
The Class of 2017 achieved a 100% pass rate in 37 subjects with every Graphic Design student achieving an A* to C grade.
Other subject areas that excelled were French where 87.5% of students secured a grade in that top band and across all sciences and maths 68% of grades were at A* to C.
In a sign that Priestley students met theirs – and their prospective universities’ expectations – only 14 out of more than 600 students had to go through Clearing.
Principal Matthew Grant said the A-Level results followed another set of outstanding BTEC results earlier in the summer when Priestley saw a 100% pass rate in all Extended Diplomas.
“We are very proud of the Class of 2017, they have delivered a tremendous set of results with numerous individual achievements that really stand out,” he said.
“What is pleasing is the success has come across a variety of subjects, everything from the Sciences to Modern Foreign Languages, to English, Computing and Performing Arts.”
Students achieved 160 As and A*s and an impressive 68 students achieved a triple Distinction* in their BTEC results.
Among those who were celebrating was former Lymm High School pupil Sophie Jones whose two A*s and A guaranteed her place at Durham University studying Psychology.
“I want to work in mental health and a career helping people,” she said. “I honestly can’t believe my results today, I had no idea I would do as well as I have.”
Friends Elizabeth Goodrick and Isobel Oldland could not stop smiling as they achieved exactly the same results in the same subjects.
They were both happy to collect a triple Distinction* in Art and Design and an A* in A-Level Photography. Elizabeth and Isobel are now heading to the Manchester School of Art for an Art Foundation course.
“One day I want to run my own fashion business,” said Elizabeth.
