Hard-working Sidmouth students praised by staff as a third reach top grades in AS and A level results

HARD working A and AS-level students at Sidmouth College have been congratulated by staff on this year’s successful grades.

Around one third of Year 13 A-level grades were at the highest A*, A and B grades, while one third of Year 12 AS students were graded A or B.

Praising Year 13 students, acting principal Julie Capewell said: “We are delighted so many students have achieved their target grades and will be able to take up their places, whether at university level or on other training courses.”

High grades were achieved in many subjects, including maths and further maths, English, the sciences, French and history.

High-flier Byron Fitzgerald, 18, is one of Sidmouth College’s brightest students this year, securing his place at university with two A grades and one B. Others include Mary Drinkwater and Jenny Curley who each gained one A and two B grades. Both want to go into nursing.

Byron, from Sidmouth, got top grades in maths, further maths and physics, and will study physics and engineering at Loughborough University.

“I am really pleased with my results and am looking forward to going to university in September,” said Byron, who hopes to become a pilot for the RAF.

Jess Leeds, 18, got one A, one B and one C to secure her university dream. Jess, from Woolbrook Road, is heading to the University of Glamorgan at the end of September, where she will study medical science. She later hopes to become a doctor.

Natasha Kalbfuss, 18, of Connaught Road, plans to study nursing at the University of Southampton after getting one A, one B and two C grade A-levels and plans to become a children’s nurse after getting her degree.

Aspiring teacher Rachael Hill, 18, got the four grades required to secure her place at Plymouth University, where she will study primary school teaching with a music specialism.

Ottery St Mary student Alice Montgomery, 18, is heading to Kingston University following her grades, including an A* in drama, and will study drama and creative writing there.

Nineteen-year-old Chryssa Brown plans to become a trainee ranger at the National Trust thanks to her good A Level grades.

Chryssa, from Newton Poppleford, said: “I’ve put my university dreams on hold to volunteer at the National Trust.

“I’m interested in environmental conservation, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mrs Capewell said head of post-16 studies, Sue Hurley, and her team of tutors, guided students on their choice of subjects when applying for the sixth form.

She added: “Students’ progress to targets is monitored closely throughout the two years of advanced level study.

“Our aim, at all times, is to do all we can to ensure that Sidmouth College students can pursue their career of choice…we are proud to play our part in their future.”