Sixth formers at schools in Abingdon celebrate A-levels

Pupils at John Mason School and Fitzharrys School share a joint sixth form, while Larkmead School has its own sixth form.

This year pupils from the joint sixth form gathered at Fitzharrys School to pick up their results envelopes.

READ MORE: Reaction as students celebrate A-level results 

Teenagers also gathered at Abingdon School, and St Helen and St Katharine, the two independent schools in the town, to find our their exam results.

Will Speke, headteacher of Fitzharrys School, and Robin Conway, deputy headteacher at John Mason School, were in the hall at Fitzharrys School to welcome pupils.

Mr Speke said results had improved, compared to last year.

He added: "Some students are going to Oxford or Cambridge, and there is a big group of students getting As and A*s across the board.

"With 27 per cent of grades being A*-A and with students across the board gaining places at university courses and apprenticeships of their choice, we are really proud of all our students and what they have achieved, and we wish them well in their next steps."

Sonya Robinson, 18, was born in the Ukraine and came to Abingdon when she was six.

She said she was "shocked" to achieve  A* grades in art, geography and English Literature and has been offered a place at Cardiff University.

Max Syratt, 18, is off to Edinburgh University after getting A* grades in maths, further maths and chemistry, and an A grade in philosophy.

He said: "I got a lot of support from my teachers."

Laura Irving, 18, is looking forward to taking up her place at Cambridge University's Pembroke College after getting A* grades in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.

"I'm relieved because I have been telling everyone about the offer of a place," she said.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Teddy Franks is looking forward to going to Exeter University after getting A* in history, an A in physics and an A in maths.

He will study mechanical engineering and his plan is to get a job in Formula 1.

"Students will be out celebrating tonight - there could be a few people in The Narrows," he said.

Henry Tebbs, 17, got A* grades in maths, further maths and physics and will be studying maths at Oxford University's New College.

Danny Diss will also be quite close to home at Warwick University. He has a place to study maths after gaining A* grades in maths, further maths and history, and an A in economics.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Jonathan Dennett, headteacher at Larkmead School, said: "It's another year where students have achieved their next destination.

"They have got the courses they are after and there have been lots of smiles and celebrations."

Among students turning up at Larkmead School was Lily Parker who picked up her results with mum Ashley Slater, a former pupil at the school.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Lily is planning to go to university after completing A-levels in English literature, psychology and history, and praised her history teacher Lionel Crowe for helping her with her studies.

Ms Slater said: "Some of the staff who taught me are still here - Lily has always been very well supported."

At St Helen and St Katharine school, an independent school for girls, there were 63 per cent of pupils who achieve A*-A grades, while 91 per cent of pupils achieved A*-B grades.

(Image: St Helen and St Katharine) Headmistress Rebecca Dougall said: “I’m enormously proud of the students. As a year group they have supported the school and each other brilliantly and it’s so nice to share their many successes today.

"The array of subjects and institutions that they’re heading to is dazzling and they go with all our love and best wishes - these universities are so lucky to have them.”

At Abingdon School, an independent school for boys, 68.8 per cent of students achieved A*-A grades while 89.2 per cent achieved A*-B grades.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Headteacher Michael Windsor said: “I’d like to congratulate all our Upper Sixth leavers on these excellent results which are a testament both to their hard work over the past couple of years; and to the dedication of our staff who have supported them along the way.

“Our students can take pride in their achievements which will open up a wide range of exciting opportunities for them in the years ahead.

"Whatever their future endeavours, I know they will show the same aptitude and high level of commitment they have applied to their studies and co-curricular activities at school and I would like to wish them all the very best.”

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get:         

• Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website      
• Advert-light access          
• Reader rewards          
• Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.