STUDENTS are celebrating after beating last year’s results at Colbayns High School.

The Clacton school had 66 students who sat A-level exams or equivalents.

All candidates gained at least one grade A to E, with an average score of 180 UCAS points – up from last year’s 170.

There were 100 per cent pass rates in subjects across the board at the school, and lower sixth students also performed well with a pass rate of 84 per cent.

Among the school’s top achievers were Mark Smith who got three grade As in history, English language and information communication technology, and a B in German.

Caroline North gained a double grade A in applied health and social care and a B in psychology. Victoria Knight gained an A in sociology and two Bs in PE and psychology.

Samantha Armstrong gained an A in history and two Cs in French and German, while Katie Conroy gained two Bs in psychology and sociology and a C in English language AS level.

David North achieved a B in mathematics and four Cs in accounting, information communication technology, further mathematics and physics.

Luke Mitchell gained two Bs in media and English language, a C in history and an E in information communication technology.

Tara Abbott got three Cs in English language, media studies and sociology, and Ryan Plant gained a B in mathematics, a C in accounting and a D in Law.

Headteacher Nick Pavitt said he was delighted with the positive results for so many individual students.

“It is brilliant that we have seen our stay-on rates in the sixth form continue to be high and that Colbayns is meeting the needs of a wide group of students and helping to open doors and raise aspirations,” he said.

“The school is absolutely delighted for the students who have done very well, and will now be able to go on to fulfil their ambitions in a career or at university.

“Students have worked really hard to go on to do well – they were, of course, supported admirably by those often unsung heroes, mums, dads and the terrific teaching staff.”

Students at Clacton County High School saw 50 per cent of their A-level grades awarded at A to C level.

The average UCAS points scored per entry was only just below last year’s record achievement.

Among the outstanding results was Claire Kerridge who achieved five A-levels with grade A in history and psychology, and Bs in geography, English literature and general studies.

Others also leaving with a haul of five strong A-levels include Daniel Luxford, whose results featured an A grade in mathematics and Bs in biology, physics and chemistry; Amy Barnes achieved an A in sociology and Bs in English literature and psychology; and Verity Lucas achieved an A in mathematics and Bs in English literature and law.

Others who achieved two A grades among their results include Jaide Mead for English literature and sociology; Phoebe Munroe for art and textiles; and Max Morris for law and general studies.

School principal Jeff Brindle said: “These were a very pleasing set of results and students should be pround of their achievements.

“Excellent results were gained across the board and particularly emphasised the strength of our specialist subjects of art, drama and English.

“Our congratulations go out to all students on their results.”

Tendring Technology College saw four out of five students gain a place at their first choice university.

The Frinton-based college saw 70 per cent of its A-level students gaining A or B grades in at least one subject, with 82 per cent getting their first choice university place.

Chris Moy, sixth form director, said: “Congratulations to all the students and staff who worked so hard to achieve these fabulous results.

“We now have more students than ever moving smoothly on to the university of their choice and year 12 have laid strong foundations to enable an even larger number to progress to higher education next year.

The top performers in Year 13 included Jacob Carter with four As who is now preparing to study at Southampton University for computer science.

Collecting three As and a B were both Ellen Cooper, who heads to York University to study psychology, and Cullan Howlett, who has chosen Sussex University for astrophysics.

Achieving three As were Alice Brierley who heads to Birmingham University for English literature, Jordan Cottee who is taking a gap year, Claire Heffer who will take early childhood studies at Warwick University, and Sophie Moy who will study history at Durham University.

Ten other students gained two As and a B, and a large percentage of students achieved or exceeded their target grades.

Results from year 12 showed students were on course for a high percentage of top grades next year.