STUDENTS at Saffron Walden County High School (SWCHS) were celebrating some excellent A-Level results today (Thursday August 19).

Forty-two per cent of all A-Levels (A2) taken at the school were awarded a Grade A – an increase on the previous two years.

Taking all A-Level results together, 88 per cent of all grades were in the A to C range, again an increase on 2009.

Headteacher, John Hartley, said: “I am delighted by the excellence of our students’ results. They have maintained the now well established pattern for SWCHS students of achieving very high levels of A-Level performance.

“We were especially pleased that in this comprehensive school sixth form, 12 per cent of all grades were at the new A* Level which is only given for the most outstanding levels of achievement.

“I congratulate all our students for these fine achievements and would on their behalf like to thank their teachers for the immense commitment and dedication they showed to our students’ success.”

There were many outstanding individual performances, with SWCHS students gaining entrance to both Oxford and Cambridge as well as to medical and veterinary schools.

Some 37 students gained three or more Grade As. Notable amongst this group were the achievements of William Benfold, who gained six Grade As, with four of them A*s.

Nahum Clements, Anne Downing, Peter Neuhaus, Emily Roberts and James Watkins also achieved at least three A* grades. Jonathan Levine gained five As including two A*s.

PIC: (l-r) Bethany McPeake, Kim Whippy, Jimmy Hall, Ruan Tremayne, Steven Gibson, Oliver Woods, Liam Woodcock, Sarah Jeffs, Sarah Callow and Rachel Bell