Thomas Whitham Sixth Form students celebrate A-level results

James Cook, 18, of Notley Road in Braintree, scored 49 out of 50 in a research project which required him to design a floating residential village in London, accompanied by a 1,000-word essay and a 3D model.

He said: “I wasn’t quite sure I would get in to Cambridge but I am really happy that I have”. I was up at 8am to check my UCAS account and I was delighted to see that I’d got in to the university I wanted.

“Rachel Bolt – formerly of Sir John Thursby Community College – achieved excellent results in all her subjects and is going on to study drama at Manchester University”. I’ll definitely be going out tonight to celebrate. Although many courses are full, there are some places available for the new academic year – students can register for courses on Thursday, August 20.

Nearly half of the 70 students, who studied at the close knit sixth form, gained top grades at A level.

Sol Tarling, who achieved an A in English Literature.

“It’s a real privilege to work with these students and everyone has worked exceptionally hard over the last two years”.

Among the top performers was 18-year-old Freddie Hetherton who was delighted after achieving three A* in Maths, Further Maths and Physics.

“It is very pleasing to see so many students continuing their educational journeys at top universities”.

“We had many pupils who did the IB as well as study for their A Levels, which is really impressive”.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, I can’t believe it”. “I really want to become a doctor so I can help save lives”.

He is now heading to Southampton University to study a degree in computer science and couldn’t be happier.

Of the students applying to university, 93 per cent have been accepted at one of their chosen universities with at least 77 per cent placed in their first choice.

Mr Kewin said: “As our funding impact survey indicated this week, ongoing cuts to 16-19 funding are threatening the life chances of students and the ability of Sixth Form Colleges to deliver the sort of high quality education young people need”.

Eighty-five per cent of students received grade A* to C, compared to 67 per cent last year and 47 per cent were A* to B a rise of 16 per cent from 2014.

“I am ecstatic, it is a vindication of what we try to do here”.

“I’m now looking forward to going to Southampton University”.