THE Royal School has significantly exceeded the national average by securing another year of excellent A-level grades and resulting in almost all of its upper sixth students earning their first choice places at university.

Principal Anne Lynch said: “The hard work and commitment of both students and staff resulted in success in the very broad range of A-level subjects offered at the school.

“In the face of the number of students nationally gaining the top grades at a new low, these results reinforce The Royal School’s reputation of consistent high achievement, year-on-year, and very strong value-added at A-level.

“We are delighted with our students’ success and congratulate them warmly.

“These results are testimony to many years of hard work by both staff and students and also reflect the importance of the nurturing and affirming environment at The Royal School.

“When students are well taught, work hard and are encouraged to believe in themselves, it is remarkable what they can achieve.”

Overall 83.2 per cent were graded A*-C compared to a national average of 77.3 per cent.

One hundred per cent of students achieved A*-C grades in the following A Levels: accounting, art, Chinese, economics, English, French, history, maths, music, religious studies, Spanish, textiles and general studies.

• 13.7 per cent of A-levels taken were awarded the A* grade, compared to a national average of 8.1 per cent.

• Forty per cent were graded A*-A compared to a national average of 25.8 per cent.

• Some 64.2 per cent were graded A*-B compared to a national average of 52.9 per cent.

With 80 per cent of students securing their first choice university, there were some remarkable achievements by individuals.

Deputy head girl Alice Reynolds achieved the most impressive A-level results The Royal School has seen to date.

Having taken a total of six A levels, one AS and an EPQ (extended project qualification), she gained A* grades in maths, further maths, economics, general studies and A grades in French, chemistry and AS computing.

She was one of three students to achieve two A* grades in maths and further maths, but her progress has been rather different to that of her peers.

Having shown an exceptional aptitude for maths, Alice took her GCSE at the end of prep six, aged 10, gaining an A*.

She then completed maths A-level by the end of year nine, also gaining an A* and was able to complete the necessary units to gain an A* in further maths alongside her GCSE and AS studies, allowing her to take a further four A-levels in the sixth form.

Alice also went beyond the A-level syllabus and sat the step one and two papers in mathematics this summer.

Her EPQ topic focused on the potential commercial applications of the use of big data, drawn from social media.

Alice has chosen to study for a degree in natural sciences at Durham University.

Further outstanding performances came from Eleanor Craggs, who achieved 3 A* and an A at A-level and has chosen to study economics at Exeter University, while Constance Lin who achieved two A* and three A grades at A level and has selected to study mathematics at Durham University.