FELSTED students achieved excellent A Level results again this year, with a 99 per cent pass rate and nearly 60pc of all entries (58.5pc) at A*, A or B.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Dr Walker with top achievers James Wilkinson (left) and Sam McArdle (right).Dr Walker with top achievers James Wilkinson (left) and Sam McArdle (right). (Image: Archant)

Amongst the top performers were Sam McArdle and James Wilkinson, who each achieved three A* and one A grade, and Katyana Rocker-Cook, Isabel Woodford, Xiaohang Chen, Sam Head, Sara-Jane Horne, and Bryony Males who all also had a full set of A and A* grades.

A further 19 students gained all A*, A and B grades, so that 27 students achieved only the highest grades. Overall this was a strong performance from a year-group which has led the school in an exceptional range of activities during the last academic year – whether at national or regional level in sport, or in music, art and drama, as well as service and international activities.

The International Baccalaureate results released earlier in the summer were also excellent, with five students gaining 38 points or more and one, Frederick Bouttell, achieving 41 points, a world class score. He has secured his place at Oxford University to read Geography.

Headmaster Dr Mike Walker said: “Felsted has experienced a year of exceptional achievement and these results are a fitting tribute to the efforts of upper sixth students.

“This set of results reflects the hard work and commitment of our students and the work ethic instilled by the teaching staff, with whom our students have such excellent relationships and who work tirelessly on the students’ behalf to support and guide them. We can be proud of these achievements.

“It is a real team effort. We wish our students every success as they go on to the next stage of their education and careers. A Felsted grounding will stand them in good stead for life.”

Joint top achiever Sam McArdle, from Felsted, achieved three A*s and one A grade in Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Latin respectively, securing his place to read Physics at Durham. This continues on from his astonishing straight run of 12 A* grades at GCSE level.

Sam said: “I am so happy with my results – Felsted teachers knew what I was capable of achieving and pushed all the right buttons to help me do my best.”

Sam has fully immersed himself in school life during his time at Felsted, taking part in Model United Nations Conferences, Combined Cadet Force, RAF, Duke of Edinburgh and as an editor of the school magazine.

James Wilkinson, from Little Baddow, also achieved three A*s and one A grade in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry and has secured a place to read Physics at Imperial College, London. James has enjoyed all the musical opportunities at Felsted, reaching Grade 8 on the piano. Last month also saw him ride an astonishing 1,800km from Paris to Rome with a fellow Felstedian, raising £4,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Head girl Sara-Jane Horne was also delighted to have secured an A* in Latin and two A grades in Biology and Chemistry, and is hoping to gain a place to read medicine either this or next year, to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.

Sam Head, from Barnston, matched his offer of 3 A grades in Psychology, Religious Studies and Geography to read Geography at UCL. He found the community spirit at Felsted particularly helpful in achieving these results. “I am ecstatic to have achieved three As,” he said.