A-LEVEL RESULTS: Jump in students receiving A*-B grades at Thomas Deacon Academy

Overall, more than a quarter of the pupils gained the highest grades of A* and A.

Geoff Walls, principal, said: “These results represent further significant improvement in the academic achievement of students in our sixth form and this is a real testimony to the hard work put in by both students and teachers.

“It shows the depth of academic rigour at TDA when 52 per cent of maths candidates achieve an A* or an A and 43 per cent of students studying geography also attained A* or A.

“At least a third of candidates in Spanish, sociology, PE and ICT gained an A* or A grade. Sixty per cent of students studying further maths achieved an A*-B grade whilst 67 per cent of government and politics students and 53 per cent of chemistry students also gained an A*-B grade.

“This represents real academic achievement and is reflective of the ethos and culture that now exists among our sixth form students.”

Ben Treverton, head of sixth form, said: “The improved A-Level results this year have ensured that a record number of students are getting their first choice place at university.

“I am particularly pleased at the exceptional performance of students who sat Level 3 vocational subjects - 90.4 per cent of students achieved a Distinction * or a Distinction in their vocational qualification.

“Students reported that they felt very well prepared for this year’s examinations and this has been reflected in the results at TDA. We are seeking to improve our results year-on-year and therefore students and staff have been very happy with this year’s outcomes.”