Ipswich A-level results: Northgate High School, Ipswich School, Suffolk New College and One Sixth Form
Students from Ipswich have been collecting their A-level results this morning.
Nationally top A-level results have risen for the first time since 2021 – with 27.8 per cent of all students achieving grades A* or A.
Here SuffolkNews brings you a roundup of A-level results from the Ipswich area.
Northgate High School
Six students from Northgate High School are heading off to Oxford or Cambridge after securing their A-level results.
Rowena Mackie, headteacher, said staff were very pleased with the results from their hardworking students.
She said: “There are many success stories here, and we are proud of how they have had to face up to very significant challenges over the last two years.
“They have worked hard to achieve results that will take them on to their next pathway.”
One student, Evie Mitchell, was the top performing student doing A-level law nationally.
Ms Mackie congratulated her, alongside the three students due to start medicine courses in the coming weeks.
She added: “We wish all of our Year 13 students the very best for their futures beyond Northgate and offer our congratulations and thanks to them, our staff and their families who have worked together to ensure the best options for their futures.”
Ipswich School
The outgoing headmaster of Ipswich School has said how proud he was as pupils celebrated their highest ever results.
Nicholas Weaver said 97 per cent of those taking their A-levels secured A* to C grades, while it maintained a 100 per cent pass rate in all 25 subjects.
One stand-out student was Emily Hawkridge, who achieved four A* grades and an A* in her EPQ exam, who will be heading off to Durham University to study history.
Anna Bachelor, who achieved two A*s, one A and an A* in her EPQ is set to attend the University of Oxford to study French and German.
Amy Orford, who achieved three A*s and an A* in her EPQ exam and will be going on to University College London to study History.
Amy also received an additional commendation from the exam board as one of the top students in the country for her English literature exam result.
This year saw a record number of students achieve places to study veterinary science or medicine at university, he said.
Seven students have secured places to study to be doctors, while three will train to be vets.
Mr Weaver added: “I am delighted to say that we have our best ever exam results in my 14 years as Headmaster here, with 84 per cent of exams graded A* to B and improvements in grades across the board.
“I am so proud of all our students, with particular congratulations going to the 58 young people who have achieved the equivalent of three A grades or higher.
“Our thanks go to all our staff who have helped our students throughout their time in our Sixth Form.”
Ben Cliff, head of Sixth Form, said he was so proud of everything the Year 13 students achieved.
“With average grades per pupil of AAB, this group also contributed greatly on stage, in music, with their community work and on the sports field, taking advantage of every opportunity available to them,” he added.
“To all our students, whether they have plans for university in the UK or abroad, apprenticeships, conservatoires or work placements, we wish them all well for their exciting futures.”
Suffolk New College
Pupils collecting their packages at Suffolk New College today are celebrating a more than 80 per cent pass rate.
The college, which runs four campuses in Suffolk, does not do A-levels but instead operates T-level courses, which are equivalent.
Thirty-eight pupils in total studied on its construction, health, digital production and design, education and early years, health and science pathways.
The college is celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate in its digital production and design, health and science courses.
The pass rate for BTECs was 97.3 per cent with three learners gaining top marks in the form of a Distinction*
One pupil with cause to celebrate is Tanner Minter, 18, from Stowmarket, who studied a health T-level and is in the top 0.2 per cent of T-level students in the country.
He was only one of 14 people in the UK to secure a Distinction* and the only person in the country to gain one for his course.
Tanner said: “I’m very happy and not sure what is next. T-levels provide a lot of face-face activities so it’s a good learning opportunity.
“At Suffolk New College, you get treated a lot more like an adult than just a student which actually makes you want to learn, so it helps a lot. The support that we’ve had is great.”
Ethan Mann, 18, of Ipswich, has decided on a career change now he has finished his T-levels.
Originally wanting to study performing arts, he has since decided to join the Royal Air Force and train to become a pilot.
He described the switch to public services as the ‘best choice of his life’.
“Overall, it [college] was a great experience, there’s a lot of nice people, a lot of nice staff, and I love that students have a voice,” he said.
Poppy Pemberton, 19, from Hadleigh, studied on a T Level in Childcare and received a distinction.
Daniel Browning, 18, of Stowmarket, studied on a BTEC level 3 sports course and was another student to gain a Distinction*.
Finn Shanks, 20, of Ipswich, studied on a level 3 design course and received a Distinction.
He said he struggled at secondary school due to having Asperger’s – but said the independence at Suffolk New College gave him space to breathe and meet new people.
Finn added: “Art is really self-directed, but having tutors who are professionals at the college is really good.”
Marianne Flack, deputy principal, said it was another fantastic year for everyone at the college.
The class of 2024 really excelled themselves, she said.
“I would like to congratulate all of our students on their many successes and praise them for their hard work and dedication,” Ms Flack added.
“I’d also like to thank our staff for their unwavering support and the many businesses who work with us, to ensure that everyone who leaves us has the best possible chance of success in terms of whatever they choose to do next.”
One Sixth Form
More than 600 students at One Sixth Form collected their results today – its largest cohort to date.
Staff and pupils are celebrating as the college saw a 97 per cent pass rate across all its subjects, with 68.71 per cent of students achieving grades A* to C.
Out of those who studied A-levels, 399 sat three A-levels or more and the A* to C pass relating to this group was 88 per cent.
Of students doing vocational qualifications, 99.4 per cent passed, with 44 per cent of those on a vocational diploma earning a distinction award.
One student who overcame challenges with impressive results was Noctis Clark, 18, from Ipswich, who studied forensics, law and psychology, earning two A*s and a C, respectively.
Noctis said: said: “I’m off to the University of Central Lancashire to study Law and I eventually want to become a lawyer.
“I had e-coli during my time at college and I was really sick and I was off for six months for various reasons.
“I started to feel better in June and in July. It’s been hard but I’ve really loved the college.
“I’m super glad to have had them supporting me.”
Molly Moore, 18, did a BTEC level three extended diploma and got a triple distinction.
She said it was her dream to work for Ipswich Town, working in sports science.
Molly said: “I’m off to Anglia Ruskin to study sport science. I was very pleased to get what I wanted.
“I loved it at One Sixth Form College. You get a lot of freedom, independence and support. I’m grateful for the experience I have had here as it has set me up for university.”
Toby Groom, 18, from East Bergholt, studied A-levels in chemistry, biology and business studies, earning three A*s.
He said passing his A-levels moved him one step closer to owning his own business in America.
Another student following their dream is Zen Druce, 18, from Ipswich, who studied A-levels in sociology, politics and art, earning a C, D and C, respectively.
She has an unconditional offer to study at Waseda University in Tokyo to study Japanese culture on a four-year course, having started learning the language at age 11.
Megan Green, 17, from Stowmarket studied A-levels in English literature, psychology and French, securing an A* and two As.
Finally, Isobelle Creamer, 18, from Ipswich, studied A-levels in English language, history and psychology earning three Bs.
She is heading off to Stirling University to study primary education.
Jake Robson, group sixth form principal at One Sixth Form, said staff were absolutely delighted with the results for its largest cohort to date. “We are absolutely delighted with the
He said: “With a 10 per cent increase in recruitment and retention, we’ve seen 100 more young people in the region achieve level 3 qualifications.
“They are now ready to embark on their chosen paths in higher education and employment.
“Most importantly, these results set our students on a bright journey towards happy, fulfilled and successful futures.”
To see A-level coverage across Suffolk, click here.
