PHOTO GALLERY: Rotherham students celebrate "amazing" A-level results

There was good news across Rotherham, with the overall pass rate rising 0.3 per cent to 98.9 per cent pass rate, as the national average fell to 97.9 per cent.

Staff at beleaguered Wath Comprehensive School, which was placed in special measures this summer after being rated as “indequate” by Ofsted, had reason to smile as its students achieved an impressive 100 per cent pass rate, with 91.8 per cent of results at A* to C grades — 20.5 per cent above national figures.

Head teacher Jon Taylor described the results as “absolutely amazing”, adding: “It really is extremely pleasing to see the students do so well, especially given the turbulent times we have had in recent months.

“I hope this paves the way for even better years to follow.”

Top of the class in the borough were Wales High School’s Faith Nagra, who landed four A*s and 2As, and Aston Academy’s Natalie Magee, who achieved 1A* and 5A.

Natalie (18) achieved As in politics, history, Spanish, philosophy and general studies and awarded an A* in an extended project qualification — which sees students write a 5,000 word essay on a subject of their choice.

Natalie, of Aston, said she was “really excited” to be going to Oxford University to read history.

Faith, of Worksop, will take a year out before going on to study economics.

For the second year running, Rotherham pupils also topped national figures for students achieving grades A* to A, with a 30.8 per cent pass rate, 4.5 per cent above the national measure.   

Cllr Gordon Watson, deputy leader of Rotherham Borough Council, said: “Rotherham’s young people are really making us very proud by continually exceeding on national figures year on year.

“Thanks must go to the teachers, staff, governors and families who have helped these young people do so well, but ultimately congratulations must be given to the pupils themselves who have really excelled.”

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