Exam results: A-level and GCSE students celebrate as proud teachers praise hard work which has seen the pass rate increase for the 28th consecutive year

THE wait was finally over for thousands of teenagers across West Kent as they received their A-level and GCSE results.

Excited students at schools in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and The Weald gathered in school halls to find out their fate.

Nationally, A-level pass rates rose again for the 28th year in a row, while an unprecedented number of students have achieved A grades in a wide range of subjects.

This is the first year that examining bodies are awarding A* grades, and so the first time universities have been able to ask for one – raising fears that competition for university places will be fierce.

Following the national, upwards, trend in A grade pass rates was Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys which saw an increase in the number of pupils gaining top marks.

Twenty-one boys at the school in St John’s Road achieved at least three A grades with a further 10 achieving four or more A/A* passes.

Head teacher John Harrison said: “I am delighted with the results. With record numbers of A grades (including the new A* grades) the students and staff are to be congratulated.

“These results reflect all the hard work that has gone into their studies over the last year.”

Similarly in Tonbridge, 66 of all entries at the grammar school resulted in an a A grade.

Simon Everson, The Headmaster of Skinners’ School, said he was also pleased with the A-level results.

“The students have done themselves justice they have rewarded their own efforts and the hard work of their teachers,” he added.

Almost a quarter of students were awarded three or more A/A* grades.

There was also a nail-biting wait for pupils expecting their GCSE results.

For the 23rd year running pass rates rose with one in five teenagers achieving one A* or A grade.

Of the 179 pupils at St Gregory’s Catholic Comprehensive School 67 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades.

Outstanding individual performances included Anna Lamstaes who was awarded nine A*s and two A grades.

Meanwhile Tom Harrington-Vogt achieved five A*s, five As and one B grade.

The school in Reynolds Lane also maintained high pass rate standards in its specialist subjects, which include maths, statistics and ICT.

Head teacher, Stephen Adamson said: “I would like to congratulate all students for their achievements.

“GCSE exams represent a real challenge and it is encouraging to see so many students overcoming that hurdle successfully”.

Similar scenes of jubilation took place at Tonbridge School, High Street.

More than 60 boys got six or more A*s and the overall pass rate was 100 per cent.

Head teacher Tim Haynes said he did not believe examinations were easier than in previous years.

“We are thrilled with the results this year.

“I think the students and the teachers have worked very hard.

“Exams have changed over the years, but I think both students and teachers are much more focussed than they were a generation ago and that is why pass rates continue to rise.”

Meanwhile head teacher of Mascalls School in Paddock Wood has attributed a “fantastic” set of A-level and GCSE results to the support and partnership between pupils, parents, governors and teachers.

Stuart Reeves said the school had set an all-time high with a pass rate of 97 per cent at A-level, with nearly two fifths of pupils attaining the top grades.

At GCSE level, 80 per cent of students attained five or more passes.

Public schools in the area also faired well, including students at Benenden School.

The percentage of A*s achieved was 46 per cent with a further 36 per cent of entries achieving A grades.