Andover College students were celebrating today as they smashed through the 99% pass rate barrier to achieve a 99.3% pass in all A-level subjects which is significantly above the national pass rate of 98%.

High grades are also on the up with an increase of four per cent on last year with 72% achieving impressive grades A-C and 33% achieving A*-B.

The college achieved 100% pass rates in 53 subject areas demonstrating excellence across the full range of subjects, with notable strengths in the sciences, maths and communications which achieved A*-B grades above 50%.

Amber Newton achieved A*AAA in her humanities subjects giving her a head start onto her degree course in English and American studies at the University of Winchester.

She said: “I have had an excellent two years of brilliant teaching, support and encouragement. The smaller classes and one to one support make learning enjoyable and, based on my grades today, it clearly works.”

Twins Yi and Kai Chen demonstrated their exceptional scientific and mathematical knowledge achieving another clean sweep of A*A*AAA between them.

The brothers, who joined Andover College from Stonehenge School, speak English as a second language and have received excellent support from Mandarin speaking maths tutor Kah-wei Lo, which has helped them enormously in settling into college and achieving their outstanding grades.

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www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk Kai has secured a place at the prestigious Russell Group University of Birmingham to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering and brother Yi is off to the University of Bath to study Computer Sciences.

Principal Tim Jackson said: “It is widely acknowledged that Andover College’s strength is delivering outstanding teaching in an environment distinctly different to other colleges.

"This is evidenced today in our 99.3% pass rate, a significant increase in students achieving high grades and A*-B grades. This student-centric approach ensures we have happy, confident students who achieve great results.”

Ben Stokes, sixth form head of faculty, said: “We have a dynamic team of enthusiastic teachers who know the students individually and work to build self belief and self esteem as much as their theoretical and practical knowledge.

"This shows in the results; happy motivated students achieve naturally and we encourage our students to aim high.”

The high standards were endorsed by Ofsted inspector earlier this year when they inspected the college and rated all teaching as “Outstanding” or “Good” with the Creative Arts department being awarded an overall rating of “Outstanding” making it the leading Creative Arts department in the area.

For those getting their GCSE results on August 22 the college will be open daily for advice and late applications.

The college is also open on Saturday, August 30, 10am to 1pm for enrolments.

Open evenings start on Tuesday, October 7, 6-8.30pm and Wednesday, October 8, 5-7.30pm.

For further information about courses at Andover College call 01264 360000 or visit www.andover.ac.uk