Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College has made the A level grade once again – with virtually perfect pass rates
Seventy-five students helped the North Shields college gain a stunning overall pass rate of 98.6%.
They include Lauren Collins, 18, from Howden, who has won a place at Cambridge University with 3 A* grades in law, psychology and history.
Daniel Blacklock, 18, gained A* in maths and physics, and Lauren Hallewell, also 18, achieved A* in law and business and an A in sociology.
And Max Ramage, 19, has won a place at Newcastle University after gaining A* in psychology and business and an A in maths.
The top-drawer results, coming amid challenges to learning during the Covid pandemic, have been hailed “exceptional” by college leaders.
Maths, Further Maths and geography each saw 100% pass rates and equally perfect scores at A*-B high grade.
It is the second successive year geography has hit the heady heights at both grading levels.
And 100 pass rates were also attained in English language, history, law, sociology, biology, chemistry, physics business studies, film studies and media studies.
The results show 206 of 209 exams taken in 17 subject areas were passed, with just three failed or not claimed.
At AS level Queen Alexandra, which is part of Tyne Coast College, also excelled, with a pass rate of 93.8%, by 82 students, also across 17 subjects.
Physics, law, English literature, geography and sociology each attained 100% pass rates.
And 96.4% was attained in psychology, 94.1% in business studies, 92.9% in biology, 91.7% in history, 91.7% in media studies and 90% in film studies.
Joanne Chadwick, Head of Sixth Form, Business and Sport at Queen Alexandra, praised the commitment to learning of students and staff.
She said: “Our A level results are exceptional and highlight just how fantastic a centre of further learning this is.
“They are testament to the hard work of students and staff and to their mutual determination to succeed in what has been an extremely challenging learning environment.
“Clearly, the results show that our students understand the importance to their futures of gaining good A level passes, and that they know what is needed to achieve them.
“Without a doubt, they have worked hard to achieve their goals and to excel amid the difficulties of learning during the global pandemic.
“Vitally, they also confirm the high-level dedication to student learning shown by Queen Alexandra’s talented teaching teams.”
Joanne added: “Over many years, Queen Alexandra has been one of the best performing A level centres in the country.
“I firmly believe these results confirm its continued place among the very best places to learn at A level.
“One-hundred per cent passes were attained in 14 of our 17 A level subject areas, and just three exams out of 209 did not meet with success.
“Students studying at AS level also attained high grades, and I am very confident they will convert them into exceptional A level passes this time next year.
“Overall, the statistics reveal exceptional dedication by students and a wonderful commitment to delivering high-quality teaching by staff.
“Our teaching team deserve immense credit for the way they have tutored online when necessary and quickly resumed classroom-based learning whenever it was possible.”
Lauren Collins, who plans to take a law degree at Lancaster University, said: “I was expecting a good result, but I was nervous beforehand
“I woke up at 4am and couldn’t get back to sleep. I think the pressure of the results finally hit me.
“I’m delighted to have done so well, and I’m looking forward to starting at Cambridge University.”
Daniel Blacklock, from North Shields, said: “I’ve always had an aptitude for maths, so I was expecting to do well, it’s good to know that I have.
“I had an unconditional offer from Newcastle University to do a maths degree, which meant I didn’t really get nervous before getting my results because I pretty much knew I had a place.
“All things considered, which includes the way learning had to adapt due to Covid, I’ve really enjoyed my A level studies.”
Lauren Hallewell said: “I’m very happy with my results, but I admit I’m a little surprised to have done quite so well.
“I phoned my mum with my results, and she cried, and I phoned my grandmother and she cried as well.
“I have a place at Lancaster University to study law, which is my next step to the career I want.”
And Max Ramage added: “I’m very happy indeed. My results have made my days and nights of hard work very well worthwhile.
“I had a good idea that I would do well, based on my course work, and it’s nice to know my results are good.”
Mo Dixon, Principal of South Tyneside College and TyneMet College, where Queen Alexandra is based, said: “Few A level centres in the country can boast such consistently high A level and AS level grades as Queen Alexandra.
“Year after year our students, inspired by terrific teaching, have proved their determination to make the most of their time learning here.
“Over the 18 months of the Covid pandemic, they have grasped all opportunities to learn and adapted incredibly well.
“I hope youngsters in their last year of school will see the terrific results of our current learners and be inspired to enrol on our AS level courses.
“We are open for enrolment, and I can think of no better A level centre to study at in the North East than Queen Alexandra.”