NEWPORT Free Grammar School has continued to turn out high performing students as this year’s A Level results were released, firmly establishing itself in the top group in the ALPS rankings.
The students also set another record as the number who will be in a position to accept offers from Russell Group universities has also increased.
They attained an Academy best with 99.6 per cent of entries passing and a 11pc point increase in the number of students achieving A*-B grades, A*-C grades also increased to 76pc.
Headteacher Gordon Farquhar said he was “so proud” of both his staff and students who have all put in a lot of hard work that has seen 26 per cent of his A-level students in a position to accept offers from Russell Group universities.
“Newport smashed previous benchmarks in terms of attainment at A-level,” he said. “The students also set another record as the number who will be in a position to accept offers from Russell Group universities has also increased.
“I only came here at Easter but I am so very full of pride of all of my staff and students for all of the hard work they have put in that has made these amazing results possible.
“They are all excellent role models that our younger students can look up to and see what can be achieved.”
At the forefront of the cohort was head boy Ashley Layer. The 17-year-old sat Biology, Chemistry and Maths and has aspirations to become a doctor. He wants to go to University of East Anglia in Norwich to study medicine.
“I’m delighted, I got an A* and two As,” he said. “They’re the grades I needed and better than I thought I was going to get.
“I want to be a doctor because it’s a challenging career and I like the idea of being able to help people.”
Lucy Oliva, head girl, has her sights firmly fixed on a career in journalism, specifically working in football; a sport she is passionate about.
With this in mind, she was hoping to get the grades to get into Queen Mary university, London to read English and linguistics.
“I was nervous last night and didn’t think I’d be able to sleep, but I did manage to get a few hours,” said Lucy holding her results slip that showed she’d got an A, two Bs and a C. “I am very, very relieved I got what I needed. I honestly didn’t think I would get what I needed.”
Rebecca Hill, 18, was hoping to get the grades that would allow her to take a place at to Sheffield University to read Biochemistry. It is the course she has set her heart on and she loves and knows the city well as she has family there.
“When I got my envelope I was scared to open it,” said Rebecca. “But when I did, I was so pleased that I’d got two A*s and a B. I’m really pleased but shocked at the same time.”
Dan Rock, 18, got an A* in French, A in Biology, and B in Chemistry. He is off to Sheffield University to read Molecular Biology, a subject that will allow him to study and research the mechanics of life; a subject that fascinates him. He said: “Actually, I’m quite shocked I got the grades I wanted. I’m very proud of myself as I worked hard for these results and I think I got the results I deserve.”
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