STUDENTS at Castle School in Thornbury are celebrating a remarkable year with a dramatic increase in top grades for their A-levels.

Hundreds of the sixth form pupils gathered at the school to collect their A-level and AS results, anxious to find out if their months of hard work had paid off.

Among the notable achievements was the news that over a third of grades achieved by students were either an A* or A grade, an increase of 10 per cent from last year.

This increase was complemented by an impressive 26 pupils obtaining three A grades or better, twice as many as last year and nearly a fifth of the year group.

In total, 81 per cent of all A-levels sat resulted in a C grade or better, with 34 per cent of grades being at least an A.

Among the many high performers are are Liam Riordan, who achieved A*A*A*A and is going to Durham to study maths, and Niall Dickin, who obtained A*A*A* and is going to Southampton to study computer science.

Three students from Castle have won places at Oxbridge with Henry Allen heading to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge to study engineering, with A*A*A*, as James Ashworth and Dylan Evans both go to Oxford to study biological science with A*A*A* A  and  A*A*AA  respectively.

Henry said: “I am delighted by my results. I had been given the offer of A*A*A which I had been quite nervious about, but I am absolutely over the moon.”

Meanwhile James, who also completed an extended project qualification examining the likelihood of chemistry in television shows like Doctor Who, said he had hoped his extra work in a field he was passionate about, would help get his foot through the door.

He said: “I think talking about it had worked in my first interview as we were able to have a good chat about it, but I was a bit too nervous going into my second interview and froze up a bit.

“I was a little bit worried that I hadn’t got the place but am so happy now that I know I am going to be studying at Oxford.”

Castle School headteacher Peter Smart said: “We are delighted with these results and the fantastic achievements of everyone.

“We hear a lot about the increasing difficulty of A-levels, so to see even more students obtaining these high grades is a powerful statement about what goes on here.

“During their time at The Castle School Sixth Form the students have worked tremendously hard.  They have been guided through their studies by our committed teachers and highly supportive parents and families.

“I am hugely proud of The Castle School's tradition for achievement and academic success. These results will enable our students to access exciting opportunities in higher education and the workplace. I congratulate them all and offer my very best wishes for their bright futures.”