A-level results: Backwell School matches last year’s pass rate as students celebrate – pictures and reaction

Students at Backwell School’s sixth form ‘coped brilliantly’ with changes to the A-level structure, with more than half of exam entries receiving A* to B grades today (Thursday).

The school, in Station Road, achieved an overall 99.2 per cent pass rate – the same as last year despite changes to the exam structure which meant only results from the second year of study counted towards students’ grades.

Outgoing head of sixth form Toby Rome said: “I am incredibly proud of this group of students, who have not only achieved academic success, but also grown in so many other ways over the past two years.

“There are of course outstanding straight A* students, but these results also contain countless stories of individual successes against adversity.

“As a year group they have coped brilliantly with the disruption of ongoing changes to the structure of A-levels, and have consistently impressed me with their determination, good humour and thoughtfulness.”

Every student achieved qualifications, with 29 of them receiving three As or higher.

Three students, Alice Griffiths, Jasmine Thomas and Alex Walder, gained at least three A*s.

It meant deputy head girl Jasmine will go on to study medicine at Cambridge University.

She said: “It feels very surreal. I didn’t expect it. I’m going to take a gap year first, to do some work and travelling.”

Matt Mayler secured an A* in chemistry and As in maths and biology so he can fulfil his dream to become a doctor. He will be studying at Cardiff University.

He said: “It has been a long process because I came to the school after primary school in the bottom set at maths.

“The school has really helped me to get this, and I am really grateful to them and my parents.”

Head girl Issie Dowse was also celebrating, after she received the three As she needed to fulfil her lifelong ambition to become a vet.

She has completed hours of work experience and work placements over the past four years to ensure she could get onto a highly competitive course at Liverpool University.

She said: “I can’t believe it. I am so excited to begin my training.”