15707/2CHIPPENHAM NEWS: FOR one talented Chippenham A level student the taste of success was tinged with a degree of sadness.

Sheldon Secondary School student Jonathan Piper, 18, was delighted to be named one of the country's top performers, achieving four A grades and earning a place at Oxford University to study physics.

But his thoughts were with twin brother Tim, who should have been receiving his exam results this week.

Tim, described as a brilliant and gifted student, died last November after taking his own life at the family's Lacock home.

Jonathan said his brother would almost certainly have been celebrating top A level grades.

"It is a great shame. Without doubt there would have been another four A grades as he would have done just as well," he said.

"He should have been going to Oxford or Cambridge as he was cleverer than me. I will dedicate my grades to him."

Speaking about his own success, Jonathan said: "I am very much looking forward to Oxford. I feel pretty pleased. In a way this was not the main part, as getting through the interview was my main concern.

"I have worked quite hard over the past couple of years to get this."

Students and teachers at Sheldon are celebrating a bumper set of marks. Jonathan was one of five students to secure four top-grade results, with three students securing places at Oxford or Cambridge Universities.

Headteacher Gerard MacMahon said he was proud of the school's 99 per cent pass rate and delighted half of the students were awarded an A or B grade.

"It has been excellent results all the way through," he said.

"There have been stories in the news of comprehensive students not getting into the top universities but our results disprove that."

Champagne corks were popping at neighbouring school Hardenhuish with 96 per cent of students passing A levels, 45 per cent at grades A or B with 11 achieving straight A grades.

Headteacher Colin Smith dismissed claims of falling standards: "I have got almost 12 members of staff who are A Level examiners and all say there is absolutely no evidence to support this claim.

"I think schools are getting better at making sure we match students to appropriate courses."

Corsham School also fared well with a 95 per cent pass rate and a massive increase in the number of students achieving the top grades.

Headteacher Martin Williams said: "Our children are working incredibly hard. The exams are not getting easier believe me.

"The top grades are stunning so we are really delighted."