TWO Burley-in-Wharfedale students are among Bradford Grammar School’s 127 A Level students celebrating success today. Over half of all exams taken at Bradford Grammar School were graded A*/A.

They include Edward Philips, 18, Deputy Head Boy, from Burley-in-Wharfedale who is thrilled with his four straight A*s, but said he was “glad the waiting is over”. He has accepted his first choice offer from Warwick University to study Economics. His mother Jo said: “I’m delighted, he even managed to pip his sister, Emma, who’s studying at Cambridge, by an A*.”

Headmaster, Simon Hinchliffe, said: “I am delighted to congratulate our students on some outstanding results this year; with a 100% pass rate, our results remain exceptionally strong. This is great news for BGS and the wider educational scene in Bradford.

“The shared endeavour of students, working with the support of their families, and staff has sustained our first class record in A Level exams enabling the vast majority of our Year 13 leavers to achieve a place at their first choice university.”

Another Burley-in-Wharfedale based student, Phoebe Barber,18, scored one A* and two As to go on to study History at her first choice University, Warwick.

Simon added: “Beyond the headlines, we are keenly aware of the many individual successes that represent a triumph for those students who realised or exceeded expectations at all levels of achievement. Whilst we are rightly proud of the overall balance of the results gained, it is the many personal stories of accomplishment and success that will stick long in the memory. Not everyone achieves the highest grades, but a life-changing education is open to all at BGS and value is added across the board in many ways.

"The message is clear, honest effort and a positive mind-set – encapsulated in our age old School credo of ‘Hoc Age’, roughly translated as ‘get on and do it’ - pay dividends and speak volumes about the unfussy and high achieving character of Bradford Grammar School. Well done, all.”

Former pupils of the independent school on Keighley Road, Bradford, include Olympic heroes Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee and artist David Hockney. Thirty-two per cent of pupils at the school are from BME backgrounds.