ALTON College is celebrating after students clocked up a near 99 per cent pass rate for the second year running, with more than half achieving top grades. According to assistant principal Steve MacCormack, excited students logged onto the college website at two minutes past midnight on Thursday last week to get their examination results. The tradition of waiting in line at college to receive A-level results was replaced by viewing them over the internet with friends and family at home or wherever students could gain access to a computer. Three brave students even viewed their results 'live' on air at Delta FM. Later in the morning bleary eyed students arrived at college to pick-up the paper confirmation of their results and to meet and celebrate with their friends. According to Mr MacCormack being able to access the results via the internet brought a whole new perspective to results day. "This was a first for the college and it was very exciting for students many of whom told me that they had logged on to get their results as soon as they were available and then had spent all night celebrating." College staff were also celebrating the outstanding achievements of their A level students - achievements that had resulted in a near 99 per cent pass rate for the second year in a ro, and a rise in the number of students achieving the highest A and B grades to a magnificent 54 per cent.more than twice the national average. No fewer than 26 subjects achieved 100 per cent passes. Students on advanced vocational courses also did exceptionally well with many of them achieving the highest grades. Principal Jane Machell was delighted and believes that these results were down to the sheer hard work of both staff and students over the past two years. "Coming on the back of our fantastic Ofsted Inspection in May, when we became one of the first colleges to gain 'grade 1: outstanding' in all of the graded areas, this has been another wonderful year for the college and I am immensely proud of the achievements of our students and their teachers," she said. With so many students gaining the highest grades, Mr MacCormack felt it was almost unfair to pick out individuals. Nonetheless, there were many notable achievements, among them Sam Russell from Petersfield, who came fifth nationally out of nearly 4,000 students for English language, which was exceptional. Students living in the Alton area also achieved excellent results. Ellen Chapman, Amy Chesterfield, Fiona Croftm, Iona Easthope, David McGowen, Phillip Pride, Madeline Adams, Jonathan Coops and Sarah Gay all managed to achieve at least four subjects at grade A. Naomi Foot, Hanna Cousins, Tessa Lyons and Kathy Doran all achieved distinctions in their BTEC National Diplomas in art and design. "There have been very many outstanding personal achievements," said Jane Machell. "We value the individual achievement and commitment of all our students who have worked hard to gain the best grades they can. We sincerely wish them every success in the next stage of their lives whether it is at university or starting out on a new career. They are a credit to themselves, their parents and the college."
