Students celebrate best ever exam results

Story posted on September 12, 2012

STUDENTS at Frome Community College have been celebrating the school’s best ever A-level and GCSE results over the past fortnight. 

A-level results were available to collect for students out of the school’s new Frome Futures Post 16 Centre from 7.00am on Thursday 16th of August. Frome Community College achieved a 97% pass rate at A-level, with 28% of students achieving A* or A grades. Level 3 BTEC students achieved a 100% pass rate with 52% of students achieving equivalent to A* or A grades.

Principal of Frome College for the past four years, Wendy Missons, says she is “delighted” to have topped last year’s results, recording the “best ever results at A-level.”

Wendy Missons stepped down as principal of Frome College last term, saying that due to a change in her personal circumstances, she feels the need for a change of direction.

Talking about the A-level results, Wendy Missons said, “Overall more than 40 students achieved points scores equivalent to three A grades or better.  We are extremely proud of our outgoing Year 13s who have been exemplary, a real credit to the college and we wish them every success in the future. Particular praise must go to Polly Streather and Madeleine Herbert who have secured places at Oxford and Cambridge and to Charlotte Peat and Victoria Scudamore who have places to study medicine. We wish all of our students good luck for the future and look forward to hearing of their undoubted success as they move on to university and the world of work.

“The grades represent the best ever set of results at Frome and are equally matched by a sharp rise in the Year 12 AS results.

The following Thursday, the college opened its doors again as over 300 students collected their GCSE results. 74% of students achieved five A*-C grades, the college’s highest ever result.

Straight ‘A’ student Cindy Soh, achieved nine A* grades and three A grades.

Rebecca Grist, Harrison Butler-Stroud, Taliesin Mosler and Laura Didymus all achieved at least seven A* grades, plus more subjects at A grade.

“Many students met or exceeded their aspirations, but these students deserved a particular mention,” said Wendy Missons. “Everyone will know by now that there was an issue over English grades, which have dropped massively across the country.

“My email inbox has been filling with messages from colleague headteachers who are reporting drops of sometimes over 20%.

“This skews any figures we can give for overall performance and though 74% of students achieved 5A*-C, the highest ever, our figure with English and maths looks the same as last year at 47%.

“We will join with other schools in contesting the arbitrary last minute change in grade boundaries which have unfairly robbed some students of the grades they deserve.  It is always sad to leave a school, but we have achieved so much in recent years and are well placed for the future.  I am immensely proud of Frome College, its staff and students.”

The new headteacher of Frome Community College, Gavin Ball, will be taking up his appointment this term.