Students from across the Richmond Borough were celebrated excellent A-Level results yesterday, as they embark on the next stage of their academic careers.

Several schools and sixth forms achieved 100 per cent pass rates, this was amid changes toughening the exams in England.

The reforms to higher education meant that students sat all A-Level exams in year 13 and there was much less coursework. Despite these changes, which came into force in September 2017, Richmond Borough students performed excellently.

There were several standout performers across the borough. Lady Eleanor Holles School to achieve excellent grades. Twins Gemma and Catherine King will both study natural sciences at the University of Cambridge after achieving a combined 10 A* grades between them.

The King sisters also spent the last two years training for the International Regatta, where they won the Junior Women’s Pairs title. The girls also found time to achieve diploma standard on the trumpet, trombone and piano.

Anastasia Martin, another student at Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton, had to balance studying for her exams with filming a new teenage vampire TV series.

Ana took her A-levels in Split, Croatia, as the intense filming schedule required her to leave school in May. She was pulled out of the sea, where she was filming an underwater scene, 20 minutes before her first English exam.

Ana said: “The main challenges were just that I had a very busy schedule, on set on most days at around 9 am and getting offset at about 10 pm, giving me little time to revise and also having to shoot for half days before and after taking exams which was tiring but also a lot of fun!” Despite this balancing act, Ana managed to bag top scores.

Christ School student Dragomir Argirov became the first Christ student to gain a place in the hugely competitive field of Dentistry – his ambition from a young age.

Commenting on his success, Dragomir said: “I am over the moon that I achieved the results to get into my course – all the hard work paid off in the end.”

Overall, a number of schools across the borough performed excellently, a testament to the hard work of teachers, students and parents.

Christ School in Richmond, Radnor House in Twickenham and Grey Court in Richmond were among the schools to achieve 100 per cent pass rates. Grey Court School saw 32 per cent of all grades awarded at A* to A, while 65 per cent were A* to B. Four students achieved A’s across the board.

Christ school celebrated their best results. Not only did they have 100 per cent pass rate, but 21 per cent of students achieved A* and A grades and 52 per cent gained A* to B grades.

Radnor House also celebrated their best results. They had a significant increase in higher grades, with 89 per cent of students getting A* to C grades.

One in six students achieved a full set of A* and A grades with 97 per cent securing a place at their university of choice.

30 per cent of Students at Hampton School in Richmond achieved A* grades. While, 90 per cent of grades were at A*, A or B.

Orleans Park School in Twickenham saw 30 per cent increase in A*/A grades and over 55 per cent A* to B grades.

A significant number of students gained places at Russel Group universities studying a wide range of courses from medicine to sports science.

Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton achieved excellent results with 95 per cent of students scoring A* to B.

Richmond upon Thames College entered the highest number of students in the borough (352). The overall pass rate was 94 per cent, with 63 per cent gaining A* to C grades.

Cllr Penny Frost, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Schools, said:  “I would like to send my congratulations to all the pupils who have received their A-Level results.

"It is good to see that the results are in line with previous years and I look forward to supporting the schools as they work to drive up the grades even further.

“I wish all the students the best of luck in the future. Whether they are going onto university, employment, apprenticeship or further training - I hope you all reach your full potential.”

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