RESULTS envelopes were anxiously opened last Thursday as A-level students at Okehampton College faced the moment of truth. For many, there was reason to celebrate as they had obtained the grades they needed to secure places on their chosen university or college courses. Amy Stephens from Sticklepath was pleased with her grades ? an A and two Bs in drama, English and psychology. Amy said she was now going on to Exeter University to study theatre, film, performance and dance combined with English Literature. Amy said: ?I was pleased with my psychology result because I pushed it up by two grades from a predicted D to a B.? College principal Chris Powell said this was another good crop of exam results: ?The A-E pass rate is about 96 per cent, and A-C is about 62 perc ent, which is broadly similar to the pattern of the last few years.? Mr Powell said the grades achieved in AS level examinations had shown a small improvement on last year. One AS level student who had performed well was Victoria Cassels from North Tawton, who gained two Bs and two Cs in maths, psychology, drama and health and social education. Victoria, who said she had been excited and nervous about finding out her results, will continue studying for her A-levels next year. Mr Powell said: ?Quite a number of students will have got what they need to go on to university, one or two will have to wait and see. ?This year is going to be more difficult getting a place as more people have applied for university because this is the last year before changes in higher education fees.? Mr Powell said there were staff working with students to try and get them where they wanted to be with the grades they had achieved. He said the size of the sixth form at Okehampton College continued to grow. ?In September, we will welcome more than 250 students. The size of the sixth form has virtually doubled in the last five years.? Nationally, a debate has again been raging about whether A-level exams are getting easier in light of rising pass rates, a notion Mr Powell completely dismisses. ?It is a shame, it seems to be part of our national make-up to enjoy being cynical and saying exams are getting easier. ?There is no doubt, youngsters are working harder and for longer than they ever have in the past,? he said. l At Shebbear College, a quarter of all pupils achieved at least one grade A in this year?s A-level results, with the highest result being four straight A grades. Students also achieved a 100% pass rate in all A2 presentations with 39% of these at grades A and B. Headmaster Bob Barnes said he was ?absolutely delighted? with the results.
