MONTHS of agonising came to an end last Thursday when students from across Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach received their A level results.

At SOUTH CHESHIRE COLLEGE more than 100 students received A grades with the pass rate, at 88 per cent, higher than last years.

The number of A were up by 25 per cent and more than 150 university places were secured.

And subjects including art, biology, chemistry, German, economics, further maths, physics and Spanish saw a 100 per cent pass rate.

College principal Dr David Collins was delighted with results and said: "Yet again the students have excelled themselves and these excellent grades are the result of their hard work."

Places at university now await ex-Victoria Community High School students Donna Leese, Stuart Wittingham and Colleen Walker.

Donna was one of three students to gain four A grades and plans to study at Birmingham.

Stuart and Colleen both got 2As and a B with Stuart heading off to Hull University to study languages and Colleen hoping for a career in advertising after her degree at Lancaster.

STUDENTS at SANDBACH HIGH SCHOOL were celebrating success with 95 per cent of students gaining passes and nearly 40 per cent at A and B.

Star performers included Carol Stanier, 4As and 1B, Deborah Tilley, 4As, Jane Tucker, 4As and 1B, Anne Birtchenall, 4As, Kim Davies,3As and 1B, Kimberley Richards 3As, 1B and 1C, Ruth Hampton, 2As and 2Bs and Gayle Uren with an advanced GNVQ with distiction plus 1A.

Deputy Head Cath Bradshaw said: "I am delighted that the efforts of both students and staff have been rewarded by such pleasing results."

MALBANK SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE saw more than 85 per cent of students exceeding the national average and gaining three or more passes.

Some 63 per cent gained four or more exams while five passed five A levels. Five students also passed A level maths while in the first year of their course and more than 50 gained AS qualifications in various subjects.

Headteacher Allan Kettleday said he was pleased with the statistics and added that there were also many successful students who entered GNVQs in business and health and social care and should not be forgotten.

Sandbach school saw 60 students gaining an average of 20 points per person with results good across the board and particularly in English, performing arts, physics and politics.

"This has been an excellent year for Sandbach School," said headteacher Colin Brown.

"It is well deserved success for a year group which has given so much to the school in its time here."

Crewe county councillor and education committee chairman Peter Nurse said: "Their successes will have been earned by the hard working students themselves.

"But I am sure they would want me to pay tribute too, on their behalf, to the long suffering parents, the professionalism of teachers, the dedication of heads, the commitment of governors and the specialist support which the county council itself provides to schools in a variety of ways."

South Cheshire College is already preparing for next year's A level intake with enrolment taking place every Wednesday at the college.

Enrolment will also be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday September 7 to 9 between 2pm and 8pm and Saturday September 12 from 10am to 4pm. For more information call 01270 654654.

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