Students at Neale-Wade Academy, part of the Active Learning Trust, are celebrating today after their outstanding performance in this year’s Post 16 examinations. 

Almost 60 per cent of the grades awarded were within the A*-C range, which is a 12 per cent increase from the 2017 results. A fifth of all grades were at the very high-level A*-B range and twenty-one of the subjects offered, including English, maths and the sciences, achieved an impressive 100 per cent pass rate.

In the vocational and technical subjects almost two thirds of students achieved the prestigious Distinction* or Distinction award; equivalent to A* and A grades. Students in BTEC Law performed at exceptional levels with 90 per cent achieving the very highest grade. There was a similar picture in the Information Technology results as 100 per cent of students achieved a Distinction.

Jason Wing, Executive Principal, said: “These results highlight that our subject breadth of the 16-19 programme of study allows our students to compete with the very best nationally and to be successful in progressing to the next stage of their education; be that via university, higher level apprenticeships or in employment with training.

“Teachers and students at Neale-Wade Academy are pleased to see high level of success in both the traditional A Levels and the vocational A Level equivalent courses and I am extremely happy with the positive results across the full spectrum of subjects.”

Dr Carole Spibey, Head of Sixth Form, said: “We are delighted with the significant increase of 12 per cent in the higher A*-C grades from last year, particularly as there have been radical changes to the exam specifications. This is down to the tremendous hard work and resilience of our students and staff. We are immensely proud of our students and we wish them every success in the next stage of their career pathways.”

Aynsley Welling, Head of School said: “I am thrilled with the number of students who have achieved the grades necessary for the next steps in their lives. Congratulations to all students, parents and staff involved.”

Gary Peile, Chief Executive of the Active Learning Trust, commented: “I am delighted that our schools providing post 16 education have once again enabled their students to achieve some outstanding results. Students at both Cromwell Community College and The Neale-Wade Academy can be proud of their achievements, which will ensure that they are able to move, should they wish, onto further study or apprenticeships with great confidence. Can I also take this opportunity to thank the staff at both schools for their support for the students which, as I can see from a range of tweets this morning, is shared by the students who have achieved great results!”

Whilst many students achieved very strong results, which will allow them to progress to the next stage of their education, there were two standout performers. Ruby Baxter achieved A* in biology, A* in maths and an A in chemistry and will now be continuing her studies at Cambridge University.

Niamh Thorne produced fantastic results with a Distinction* in Law, Distinction in media studies and B grade in sociology and will be attending the University Centre Peterborough from September.