A SCHOOL’S A-Level pass rate has rocketed up by more than 20 per cent in two years.

Sir Harry Smith Community College said staff were “absolutely delighted” with the rise in students getting A*-C grades in 2010.

More than three-quarters of students at the school in Eastrea Road, Whittlesey achieved the higher grades, eight per cent up on last year.

Virtually all pupils recorded a pass whereas 42.1 per cent got a B or above.

Students leading the way include Daniel Smith, who got three As in English, further maths and physics and one of the new A* grades in maths.

Rosie Curtis scored an incredible two A* grades in English and sociology as well as an A in history whereas Ben Bebee got three As in the same subjects.

Others to get the new A* grade include Ellen Constable, who also got an A in history and a B in sociology, and Charlotte Hare, who achieved an A* in sociology and a B in history. Both got the new A* grade for their English exams.

Roberts Timms got an A* in maths and an A in ICT, as well as Bs in further maths and physics.

Meanwhile Mathew Sumner got As in English and maths along with a B in Chemistry whereas Emily Bailey’s results included an A in maths, Bs in English and history and a C in further maths.

Principal Jonathan Digby said: “We are all absolutely delighted. The students have worked extremely hard with all the teachers and the grades are very well deserved.”

In its Ofsted inspection two years ago, assessors said Sir Harry Smith’s A Level tuition was “satisfactory” but criticised students’ limited progress.

The 2008 report said: “Teaching is good but it does not enable students to develop sufficiently as confident independent learners. This limits the progress they make.”

But the school’s success since then has been emphatic after inspectors told it to “improve the achievement and standards of students in the sixth form”.

Mr Digby said: “The school’s pass rate for A*-C has increased more than 20 per cent in two years, which is a great achievement everyone at the school should be proud of.

“It has been very difficult for everyone with some changes to the syllabus but the hard work has definitely paid off.”