FRIENDS’ School A Level students are again celebrating very pleasing results this week.

They achieved a pass rate of 95.4 per cent A*-E, which is very much in line with performance over the last three years. The percentage of higher grades is, however, slightly better than last year with 25.7% achieving A*-A, 48.6pc achieving A*-B and 72.3pc achieving A*–C. Thirty-six students took A Levels at Friends’ this year.

The top grades are well distributed across all subjects and more than two thirds of the cohort has achieved places at their first choice university and almost all others at their insurance choice. These include many places at top universities such as Nottingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Royal Holloway and Queen Mary College, London.

Olivia Neaves, a student at Friends’ School since Year 7 and aspiring actor, achieved A grades in Drama, English and Film Studies. Heavily involved in school life from school productions to the eco-schools group.

Olivia said, “During the last seven years I feel that I have had the opportunities to come into my own and develop my skills with ease and enjoyment. I’m thrilled with my results and look forward to pursuing my training in acting at the RADA foundation course at the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts.”

Headteacher Anna Chaudhri said: “In an increasingly competitive post-16 environment, we are proud that the supportive and inclusive education we offer at Friends’ enables our students to go forward well equipped for the employment or higher study of their choice.

“Delighted faces on results day are the best reward for us all.”