Learners and employees at a Brighton educational establishment are marking record-breaking A-level performance this year.

On August 13, pupils throughout the region collected their advanced level qualifications.

Varndean College on Surrenden Road in Brighton announced that 98 percent of its learners passed their A-levels this year, with over half of all marks at grades A* through B.

One in four marks were given at A* or A grade, the greatest ratio in the institution’s history, with more than 75 percent of students securing marks from A* to C.

Learners were able to collect their outcomes from 8am this morning, with those at the college able to pick them up personally or check them via the internet.

Eighteen-year-old Hettie Ainsworth was among the earliest pupils to check her outcomes at the establishment.

She obtained two A grades and one A* in politics, classical civilisation, and English language and literature.

Hettie is now proceeding to King’s College London to pursue international relations.

She expressed that she was genuinely delighted. She had not anticipated receiving an A in politics.

She and her companions travelled away to avoid dwelling on the results, returning only yesterday.

Tilly Lampard-Sawyer and Maisie McQueen were also commemorating numerous outstanding achievements.

Tilly secured an A in her EPQ alongside three A* grades in sociology, media studies, and English.

She will be attending the University of Sussex to study sociology with media.

Meanwhile, Maisie earned A* grades in art and design (fine art), art and design (3D design), and her EPQ, along with a B in English language and literature. She will be progressing to the University of Brighton for interior architecture studies.

Tilly expressed that she was completely stunned. There had been considerable anxiety building up to the results, with last night being far from pleasant, but she felt immense relief that the effort had proven worthwhile.

Eighteen-year-old Connor Murphy received an extra-special birthday surprise today with an excellent set of outcomes.

He was also highly satisfied with his achievements, obtaining an A* in art and design (3D design) alongside two B grades in politics and history.

He will now be proceeding to the University of Bristol to study history.

He stated that he was extremely satisfied with his results.

He admitted that it was contrary to what he had anticipated. He had expected slightly better performance in history and politics, and possibly slightly lower marks in art and design. However, the opposite occurred, and he has still secured a place at his preferred university.

He further mentioned that he would be returning home for lunch with his family as it was his birthday. Following that, he intended to visit the local pub.

Learners at Varndean pursuing vocational qualifications also excelled, with a 98 percent pass rate and over 50 percent attaining the highest grades of distinction or distinction*.

Eighteen-year-old Rosie Ridley secured two distinction* grades in her sports and exercise science BTEC, alongside a C in art and design (graphics).

She currently holds a full-time position at East Surrey Hospital in physiotherapy and intends to leverage her practical experience to obtain an apprenticeship.

Principal Donna-Marie Janson expressed her delight at what she described as a really brilliant day for the establishment.

She stated that it represented the culmination of all the dedication shown by learners and staff, and how everything aligned to ensure they achieved excellent outcomes.

She noted that it was genuinely a wonderful occasion.

She explained that they offered the choice for learners to access their results online at 8am or attend in person, since this represented a major life milestone, and the college had been alongside them from the start of their studies, so they were eager to be present at the conclusion.

She described it as a genuine celebration of their achievements.

She emphasized that every learner, irrespective of the grades they obtained, should feel proud and leave with their head held high.

Ms Janson noted that annually, there are claims that examinations become simpler and grades easier to obtain. She stated that this was inaccurate, as outcomes depended on individual effort, and life circumstances intervene.

She mentioned that there was always a tendency to feel that others had performed better, or that one had not achieved as well as hoped, but ultimately the focus should be on moving forward.

She stressed that the emphasis remained on genuine pride in hard work and commitment, and what one had derived from it. She believed that behind every success story nationally, there was someone who had not quite achieved their desired outcome, but what mattered was how one recovered from that.