HARD-WORKING students at a Winterbourne school have managed to achieve the schools best ever A-level results.

Improving grades for the third year in succession, Year 13 students at Winterbourne International Academy managed to break the “60 per cent barrier” for the first time with 61 per cent achieving A*-B grades.

The overall pass rate was 100 per cent and the results put the school 10 per cent above the national average and amongst the top schools in South Gloucestershire and Bristol.

Top grades were also up on last year with 34 per cent of all A-level sat awarded A* or A grades.

Amongst the highest achievers was Tom Chamberlain from Coalpit Heath who said he was “overwhelmed”.

He will start a law degree at Cardiff University after being awarded A* grades in law and sociology and a distinction in a level three BTEC.

The 18-year-old said: “I put in so many hours to these A-levels and I’m so overwhelmed with grades I’ve received.

“I was so worried that I couldn’t sleep last night and my legs were like jelly when I was collecting my results.

“I honestly can’t put into words how happy I am.”

Director of sixth form, Lucy Kirkbright said: “We are delighted and immensely proud of what our students have achieved; their hard work has been richly rewarded.

“Congratulations too must go to their teachers for their dedication and commitment to Year 13.

“With yet another record-breaking year, our students have well and truly put Winterbourne International Academy on the map as the place to come for Sixth Form”.

School principal, Richard Haupt, said it was an important milestone to finally achieve the 60 per cent A*-B mark.

“I’m delighted that we’ve crashed the 60 per cent barrier,” he told the Gazette. “It was an important mental barrier for us to overcome.

“This is the third year in a row we’ve improved results and as staff we are delighted because we get nervous on behalf of students.

“I’m a proud and very happy head.”