Friday, 20 August 2010

Louise off to Cambridge as students celebrate results

A BENTLEY Heath teenager who won a place at the University of Cambridge to study Arabic is amongst those celebrating top A-level results.

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Louise Holt, 18, will study Arabic and German at Queen’s College after scoring three A*s in biology, chemistry and German and an A in maths at Solihull Sixth Form College.

She also scooped an A in an ‘extended project’ on Arabic literature.

She said: “The whole process is difficult and quite stressful. I had to sit three interviews to get my Cambridge place, but it’s all worth it now.”

Almost 100 students have won places at the university and at The University of Oxford in the last decade.

Principal Paul Ashdown said: “"We start preparing students for Oxbridge applications about halfway through their first year with us.

“It is vital that they do extra work over the summer to set themselves apart from the crowd.

“Getting straight As at A Level just isn’t enough on its own.

“Oxbridge applicants need to show that they are already working beyond the demands of A-level, and that they are genuinely dedicated to academic study of their chosen subject.”

The Widney Road college had a 97.8 per cent pass rate and 130 A* grades. The new grade has been introduced this year.

Mr Ashdown said: “These are a great set of results and I’m proud of both students and staff for all the hard work that has gone into achieving these grades.

“We are particularly delighted with the large number of A* grades achieved. It is difficult enough to get an A, but A* demonstrates exceptionally high levels of attainment.

“A Levels are incredibly demanding qualifications and the achievement levels that universities demand are very high.

“It is becoming harder and harder to get university places and those students who have achieved that must be commended.”

Solihull College said many students scored A* grades and all business students got distinction grades in BTEC National Diplomas.

Principal Brenda Sheils said: “Our congratulations go out to the students and staff who have worked so hard throughout the year to achieve such great results.

“We are particularly proud that once again, our A Level students have achieved outstanding grades in key subjects such as maths and physics.”

The borough pass rate is 98.7 per cent, compared to 98.1 per cent last year. This national average is 97.6 per cent.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council leader Councillor Ian Hedley said: “I would like to congratulate all the young people in the borough.

“This success is a real tribute to the students’ and teachers’ hard work and the support and guidance of parents.

“Well done everyone, you should all be extremely pleased, and once again the borough’s students have made us extremely proud with their high levels of achievement.”

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