SIXTH form students and staff at Tavistock College celebrated a second year of record success when A-level results were announced last Thursday. 

There were excellent achievements with three quarters of students achieving two or more A-level passes at grades A to C and with almost half gaining two or more A or B grades among their results.

Students who gained four A grades were Joe Andrew, Jordan Williams and Kathryn Williams. There were also eight other students who achieved three A grades; Madelaine Barrow, Emma Boswell, Richard Brindley, Rosie Hancock, Josh O'Neill, Shona Quinn, Paul Waddle and Hugh White. In addition Hannah Tippetts gained a distinction in her Advanced BTEC National Diploma.

Student president for 2009 Joe Andrew secured his place to read physics at the University of Bath.

Principal Colin Eves said: 'We are absolutely delighted the students who have worked extremely hard have achieved fantastic results.

'There was a small increase in the overall pass rate, with again nearly half of students gaining A and B grades, the overall result being that Tavistock College should now be in the top 20% of value-added of all schools in England when the tables are published in the autumn.

'They are outstanding results and it's so encouraging for them to see the results of their hard work, and the hard work of teachers and parents, for which we are so grateful.

'I should like to wish all the students the very best for the future and thank them for the contribution they have made to the college.'

Kathryn Williams, 18, received top marks in all her four subjects. She received four As in biology, chemistry, maths and further mathematics.

She said: 'I am so relieved. I needed the results to be able to go to Nottingham to study medicine.'

Ruth Douglas, 18, said she was 'over the moon' with her results of two As, a B and a C which have landed her a place at the University of Central Lancashire studying musical theatre.

Hannah Boot-Handford, 17, who received an A in psychology, B in English and a C in photography, plans to take a gap year before going to complete an event management degree at Winchester.

She said: 'Before I go to Winchester I plan to do youth work in London with a charity in the poorer areas of the city.'

The overall pass rate for the college improved slightly from last year. Almost half of the entries were A and B grades, maintaining the high level of improvement. The proportion of top A grade passes remained around 20%.

The quality of the passes was high, with 24 of the 30 subjects recording a 100% pass rate.