ILKLEY Grammar School’s students have once again excelled at A Level this year with very positive outcomes across a wide range of subjects and results above national averages at all levels.

A fantastic 12 per cent of all grades achieved were at A* - four per cent above national and one of the school’s best ever results at this highest level, with almost a third of grades achieved at A*/A. This is all the more noteworthy given the national decline at A*/A this year which is at its lowest level for a decade at 26 per cent. Overall, the IGS pass rate was 99 per cent with a very pleasing 59 per cent of grades secured at A*-B (eight per cent above national).

As always there were some stand out achievements from a number of students. In total eight students achieved three straight A* grades: Freya Basey, Ben Bearpark, Ellie Cooper, Jasper Evans (four A*s including EPQ), Antonia Fern, Matthew Hall, Jamie Spiller and Harvey Sykes. In addition another five students achieved two A* grades and an A grade including Harry Clough, Nisha Cant, Joseph Haigh and Livia Hammond.

Around 80 per cent of IGS students now move on to a range of university destinations, with five students securing places at Oxbridge this year, whilst other students move into employment, apprenticeships or gap years in 2019-20.

Helen Williams, Headteacher said: “Once again it’s been a delight to see our students collect their results this morning. Having so many happy faces of students and parents celebrating their success really does make the hard work throughout the year of both staff and students so worthwhile. We are extremely proud of the class of 2019 and wish them well as they now move on from IGS to their university or career path of choice or take a gap year! As always, I would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank our staff who have worked to support our students over the last two years to gain these high levels of success. Well done to everyone!”