A-levels 2024: Live updates as Suffolk students receive results
The anticipation is over for Suffolk A-level students today as they learn of their results, which will pave the way for further study or work.
Follow our coverage to find out how schools and sixth forms across the county, including Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Haverhill, Sudbury, Thetford, Newmarket and Ipswich, have performed.
Nationally, maths was the most popular A-level subject this year, with entries rising 11.4 per cent from 90,845 to 101,230.
This story will be updated as the results come in.
Bury St Edmunds County High School
The final sixth form cohort at County High School in Bury St Edmunds have graduated on a high with 89 per cent of grades at A* to C.
Also, 41.5 per cent of grades were awarded an A or A* and 64 per cent A*-B. The overall passrate (A*-E) was 98.1 per cent.
Headteacher Sally Kennedy said they were ‘very proud’ of their final cohort, of which there were just 17 students.
She said: “We are very proud of our sixth form students who have all worked very hard and supported each other to fulfil their potential.
"We know the personal challenges some of our students have faced and we are very proud of the resilience and determination they have demonstrated over the past two years.
“We wish them the very best as they move onto their next adventure and look forward to them returning to inspire the next generations of students at County High School.”
Abbeygate Sixth Form College
Leavers at Abbeygate Sixth Form College have been reflecting on their A-levels results, with the deputy headteacher praising the students for achieving ‘phenomenal’ results.
A total of 526 students took their exams this year, with 71 per cent achieving A* to C. The overall passrate was 98 per cent.
Stuart Small, assistant headteacher, was really proud of all the students.
He said: “They have done a phenomenal job. They worked incredibly hard and their dedication has paid off.
“Some students haven’t got quite what they wanted. My message to them is don’t forget how well you have done. This is just a piece of paper. It doesn’t change who you are.”
St Benedict’s Catholic School in Bury St Edmunds
At St Benedict’s Catholic School, a total of 63 students sat A-levels, with 75 per cent of grades A*-C. The overall passrate was 97 per cent.
Also, 26 per cent of grades were at A or A* and 50 per cent were A-B.
Headteacher Imogen Senior said: “We are really pleased. They are a really strong results. We are really, really proud, there are lots of really strong results as a school as a whole and for individual students.
“There are individual students who have done exceptionally well and especially those who have done so in the face of adversity.”
For more coverage of Bury St Edmunds results, see here.
Thurston Sixth
Students at Thurston Sixth, in Beyton, have been celebrating their A-level results this morning, with 28 per cent achieving the top A and A* grades.
A total of 78 students took A-levels at Thurston Sixth with an overall pass rate of 99 per cent.
The percentage of students achieving A* - C grades was 81.1 per cent.
“All students are to be congratulated upon their achievements”, said Maéve Taylor, principal at Thurston Community College.
“All of these students had unprecedented disruption to their GCSE studies, yet their commitment to studying and to the wider sixth form experience is commendable, with many of this cohort having undertaken Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and participated in many music, dance and drama performances, as well as raising money for charity.”
One of those achieving top grades was Katy Wilson, 18, of Pakenham, who was rewarded for her two years of hard work with A* grades in maths, further maths and chemistry.
Katy, who is now heading to the University of Birmingham to study maths and music, said: “It’s a big achievement, it’s two years of my life and I couldn’t have done any better.
“I have loved my time here the teachers have been amazing.”
Thomas Mills High School
Students at Thomas Mills High School celebrated some excellent A-level results where nearly three quarters of students achieved A* to C grades.
The school, in Saxtead Road, Framlingham, said the majority of students had progressed onto their chosen university courses or apprenticeships.
Andrew Cann, assistant headteacher and head of sixth form, said he was ‘very proud’ of the students’ performance.
“The results pay testimony to the hard work, dedication, commitment and determination of the cohort and they reflect the professionalism and support of the teaching staff,” he said.
A total of 99 students took A-levels at Thomas Mills, with an overall pass rate of 98 per cent.
Meanwhile, 74 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades.
Royal Hospital School
The Royal Hospital School, in Holbrook, near Ipswich, is celebrating as its Year 13 students celebrate their highest ever percentage of A* grades.
The school said that 40 per cent of all grades were A or A* equivalent, as A-level and BTEC students collect their results today.
Twenty-five per cent of pupils achieved AAA grades, while 92 per cent of pupils secured a place at a university of their choice.
Headmaster Simon Lockyer said high grades did not come without hard work and a willingness to prioritise their studies.
“I am delighted that this commitment has been rewarded,” Mr Lockyer said.
Haverhill Community Sixth Form
Haverhill Community Sixth Form says its vocational results were the best in its history as students have collected their A-level results and Level 3 qualifications.
The sixth form, on the same site as Samuel Ward Academy, has seen many students achieve their first choice of university and apprenticeships.
Pete Wilson, head of Haverhill Community Sixth Form, said: “I congratulate students and staff on all the hard work that has gone into achieving these results.
“I’m pleased that so many of our students are moving on to their first choice of university, apprenticeship or employment.”
For more Haverhill coverage, see here.
Thomas Gainsborough School
A-level students at Thomas Gainsborough School have been praised after 99 per cent received an A to E grade and 81 per cent achieved A to C.
Both figures were a rise on the last set of pre-Covid grades at the school, in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, and headteacher Helen Yapp praised the commitment of students sitting exams this year.
She said: "We are very proud of the hard work, determination and resilience shown by our A-level students.
"The results are particularly pleasing when compared to the 2019 results and when we take into account the disruption to learning during their GCSEs."
For more Sudbury coverage, see here.
Mildenhall College Academy
Students at Mildenhall College Academy are happy and proud after finding out their A-levels results with staff also delighted following improved grades from last year.
Out of the school’s cohort of 76 Year 13 students, 100 per cent of those who took exams this year achieved a pass in one or more subjects.
Nearly 90 per cent of students in the academy achieved a grade C or equivalent in one or more of their subjects.
Nicola Hood, principal at the academy, said: “We are delighted with the achievements of our students this year.
“Their success is testament to the hard work of the students and their teachers as well as the families who support them. Completing courses at Key Stage 5 is no easy task and the commitment, team work and dedication shown over the two years is to be commended.”
For more Mildenhall coverage, see here.
Stowupland High School
Sixth formers at Stowupland High School are celebrating after receiving their exam results this morning.
The school saw 64 students take A-levels this year, as well as other Level 3 qualifications.
Principal Lee Walker said: “Well done to students collecting their results today.
“I am pleased that they are now able to take their next steps in further education, apprenticeships or their chosen careers.”
Mr Walker added: “My thanks to our staff who have nurtured and supported them throughout their time here.
“We send our best wishes to all of our students for the future.”
For more Stowupland coverage, see here.
Farlingaye High School
Staff at Farlingaye High School have said the school’s outstanding results were the result of hard work, resilience, and dedication.
Nearly three-quarters of pupils – 73 per cent – achieved A* to C grades, with 51 per cent securing A* to B and 20 per cent getting A* or As.
These results have secured a large number of pupils a place in Russell Group universities, such as Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, York, Bath and Bristol.
Headteacher Peter Smith expressed immense pride in the student’s achievements.
He said: “We are incredibly proud of all our students who have achieved such fantastic results. Their success is a reflection of their hard work and the unwavering support from our talented and committed teaching staff, and to see that one in five grades achieved were at the highest A/A* level is incredible.”
Woodbridge School
A record-breaking number of pupils at Woodbridge School achieved A* to A grades this year – with grade A being the most common.
Forty-four per cent of students opened their packets to find they’d achieved one of the two highest grades – while 18 per cent of pupils achieved A*s.
Head of school Shona Norman congratulated students on their excellent results.
“Their achievements are testament to the hard work and dedication shown throughout their time with us at School,” Ms Norman said.
“I would also like to thank our superb staff for their commitment and diligence.”
See here for more Woodbridge results.
Thomas Paine Sixth Form
Fifty-five pupils at Thomas Paine Sixth Form, at Thetford Academy, collected their A-Level results today. Of these, 70 per cent secured grades A* to C.
One stand-out pupil at Thomas Paine was Natalia, who studied chemistry, biology and maths.
She was the first pupil to achieve three A* grades at the sixth form.
Natalia is off to study medicine at Imperial College London.
Sir John Leman High School, Beccles
Students at Beccles’ Sir John Leman High School are delighted and looking to the future after a set of excellent A-level results.
Headteacher Sarah Hartshorn said: “I am very proud of all our sixth form students who have worked tirelessly over the last 2 years to achieve their results today.
“They have shown great resilience and determination, which has enabled many of them to secure places on a vast range of university courses.
“Whatever their desired destinations are, whether it is continuing their educational journey or taking up an offer of employment or training, I wish them all the very best in their chosen pathways.”
Ms Hartshorn also gave her thanks to ‘all the dedicated staff’ at Sir John Leman, and the parents and carers of the students who have supported them over the last few years.
See here for more.
Kesgrave High School
Kesgrave High School said on social media: “Fantastic results from our students in their A Level and BTEC studies. 31% of all grades A*/A, 76% A*-C. Well done to all.”
Culford School
At Culford School, near Bury St Edmunds, students are celebrating their impressive performance, with 41 per cent of all grades awarded at A*-A, well above the national average of 28 per cent, while 64 per cent were graded A*- B and 88 per cent A*-C.
The overall passrate (A*-E) was 99 per cent.
Marcus Rackowe, head of sixth form, said: "On behalf of all the staff at Culford, I extend my warmest congratulations to the upper sixth for their outstanding results.
“Their determination over the past two years has truly paid off. We hope the connections and friendships they have created at Culford will last a lifetime, and we look forward to witnessing all they achieve in the future."
West Suffolk College
At West Suffolk College, a total of 1583 students received vocational qualifications achieving a passrate of over 95 per cent with the majority achieving merit and distinction grades.
In terms of the new T-level qualification, 43 students studied on construction, design and surveying, education and early years and health pathways.
On the health and design pathways, 100 per cent of students passed their course.
Dr Nikos Savvas, chief executive of Eastern Education Group, which runs the college, said: “It’s been another incredible year for Eastern Education Group and I would like to congratulate all of our learners on a fantastic set of results.
“Thanks to the support of our amazing staff, the class of 2024 have excelled themselves and we look forward to seeing them all go on and achieve great things in the future.”
Northgate High School
Six students from Northgate High School are heading off to Oxford or Cambridge after securing their A-level results.
Rowena Mackie, headteacher, said staff were very pleased with the results from their hardworking students.
She said: “There are many success stories here, and we are proud of how they have had to face up to very significant challenges over the last two years.”
Ipswich School
The outgoing headmaster of Ipswich School has said how proud he was as pupils celebrated their highest ever results.
Nicholas Weaver said 97 per cent of those taking their A-levels secured A* to C grades, while it maintained a 100 per cent pass rate in all 25 subjects.
This year saw a record number of students achieve places to study veterinary science or medicine at university, he said.
Seven students have secured places to study to be doctors, while three will train to be vets.
Mr Weaver added: “I am delighted to say that we have our best ever exam results in my 14 years as Headmaster here, with 84 per cent of exams graded A* to B and improvements in grades across the board.
“I am so proud of all our students, with particular congratulations going to the 58 young people who have achieved the equivalent of three A grades or higher.
“Our thanks go to all our staff who have helped our students throughout their time in our Sixth Form.”
Suffolk New College
Pupils collecting their packages at Suffolk New College today are celebrating a more than 80 per cent pass rate.
The college, which runs four campuses in Suffolk, does not do A-level but instead operates T-level courses, which are equivalent.
Thirty-eight pupils in total studied on its construction, health, digital production and design, education and early years, health and science pathways.
The college is celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate in its digital production and design, health and science courses.
The pass rate for BTECs was 97.3 per cent with three learners gaining top marks in the form of a Distinction*
One Sixth Form
More than 600 students at One Sixth Form collected their results today – its largest cohort to date.
Staff and pupils are celebrating as the college saw a 97 per cent pass rate across all its subjects, with 68.71 per cent of students achieving grades A* to C.
Out of those who studied A-levels, 399 sat three A-levels or more and the A* to C pass relating to this group was 88 per cent.
Of students doing vocational qualifications, 99.4 per cent passed, with 44 per cent of those on a vocational diploma earning a distinction award.
For more Ipswich coverage, click here.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
