Tavistock College students secure Oxbridge places with strings of top grades

TAVISTOCK College A level students have secured places at the country’s top institutions after once more increasing their average UCAS points scores.

The college entered a record 186 students for A levels, between them achieving 90 As and 35 A*s – making up 25% of the total grades.

Phil Mathieson, assistant principal, said: “The college is delighted to see so many students achieve fantastic A level results, maintaining the high level of academic achievement in the sixth form.

“These excellent results are a reflection of the hard work and effort put in by students and staff over the last two years. There were some stunning individual performances and all of our Oxbridge, medicine and veterinary medicine candidates have been successful in securing their places at prestigious institutions.”

Mr Mathieson’s sentiments were echoed by Helen Salmon who will take over as the college’s acting principal in September.

“These excellent A level results reflect the rapid improvements happening at Tavistock College and are a sign that students can achieve the very best,” she commented.

Owen Drage will study veterinary medicine at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge having earned four A*s and one A.

He said he was really pleased and was looking forward to starting.

“It took a lot of work,” he continued. “I didn’t need five A levels but I enjoyed the two extra subjects the most.”

Jack Shepherd will read physics at Hertford College, Oxford after gaining an A* and two As and Camilla Longden has achieved a place on the natural sciences degree course at Downing College, Cambridge with three A*s.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon; I’m really, really happy. There was lots of hard work for the exams but it was definitely worthwhile. I’m looking forward to starting as the course looks really interesting.”

Tavistock College students achieved a 100% pass rate in 19 subjects, with half of the grades awarded at A* to B and 75% of grades at A* to C across all courses.

Ian Barnes, director of sixth form, said he was absolutely delighted at the students' results which gave them the chance of getting into their university of choice, especially given the competitive national picture.

Jessica Cooke achieved A*s in maths, law and business.

“I’m going to Sheffield to study social policy and criminology,” she said. “I’m so happy I’m crying. I wasn’t expecting it at all; I was expecting three Bs.”

Tom Ludwig also upped his grades after working hard for the exams.

“I got 100% in two exams in law and business,” he said. “I was forecast Bs and I put in a lot of work and really revised hard and managed to get two As and a B overall.

“I’m absolutely delighted and it means I can go to my first choice which is Reading to study war, peace and international relations.”

Jenni Kates achieved two A*s and an A, meaning she will study psychology with business at Glasgow University, while Josh Evans’ three As secured him a place at Bristol to study medicine following a gap year.

Josh said: “I’m very happy. I’m looking forward to the music scene and I’m hoping to get some gigs there for my band.”

Josh’s Indigo Nights bandmate James Tosdevin gained two As and a B and has a place to study popular music and communications at Liverpool in 2012.

“I’m going to work and travel to India with Josh for my gap year,” he said. “I’m really pleased with my results; they were what I was expecting but it’s still nice.”