HUNDREDS of students were celebrating A-level successes last Thursday, with Fenland s colleges again achieving pass rates above the national average. Among colleges which opened their doors for students to check how well they had done were the College of

HUNDREDS of students were celebrating A-level successes last Thursday, with Fenland's colleges again achieving pass rates above the national average.

Among colleges which opened their doors for students to check how well they had done were the College of West Anglia, which has its Isle Campus in Wisbech, the Neale-Wade Community College, March, Wisbech Grammar School and Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey.

Shona Johnstone, Cambridgeshire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "A-level students in Cambridgeshire have once again done themselves and their schools proud.

"They have produced another set of impressive results, a tribute to their hard work, the professionalism of their teachers and support of their parents."

- NEWLY seconded headteacher at the Queen's School, Wisbech, Tony Cooper, met Jill Francis, of the College of West Anglia's Isle Campus, to reflect on a pleasing start to their A-level partnership.

The college achieved an overall pass rate of 93.5 per cent, slightly higher than last year.

Many mature students also achieved A grades after studying either in the evenings or alongside teenage students during the day at Queen's or the Isle Campus.

Ms Francis said: "It was delightful to see so many students with four or five passes that give them the opportunity to go to university, complete apprenticeships or enter employment with training for good jobs. Well done to the staff and students."

The College of West Anglia's overall pass rate increased to 97.3 per cent, with A-C grades also increasing at 45 per cent.

- NEALE-Wade Community College celebrated improved results over previous years, with 62 per cent of exams passed at grades A-C.

Outstanding results were achieved by Laura Deighton, with four A grades, Fenella Allery, with three A grades and one C grade, Ruth Kapila with three A grades, and Adam Kujat with two A grades and one B grade.

AS-level results also improved significantly with an overall pass rate of 85 per cent, reflecting the positive impact of the school's new partnership with Cromwell Community College in Chatteris.

Tim Hitch, Neale-Wade principal, said: " I am delighted that the hard work by students and staff has been rewarded. Our students' achievements has given them the opportunity to continue their education at universities and to show the extent of talent within March and the surrounding area."

- WISBECH Grammar School saw success with 83 per cent of A-level students achieving grades A-C, up two per cent on last year.

Fourteen A-level students achieved three or more A grades. These include Elliott Dye, who achieved five A grade passes in maths, geography, further maths, chemistry and physics.

At AS-level A-C grades reached 76 per cent, with three students, Anushka Karunaratne, Martha Woodard and Jessica Wright, earning five A grades.

Headmaster Robert Repper said: "We are delighted with these splendid results which reflect the hard work put in by both pupils and teachers alike."

- AS it begins its full 11-18 status in September, Sir Harry Smith Community College announced an overall pass rate of 97.7 per cent at A level, with a massive increase in the A-C grades, up to 64.8 per cent.

At A-level three students, Emma Wade, Kim Neve and Joe Smith, achieved two or more A grades.

Principal Mike Sanderman said: "With the highest percentage of students ever achieving the top grade at both A and AS, and more students seeking places in higher education, the community can be very proud of its young people and their achievements this year.