A-Levels Results Day 2024: Pupils celebrate final results

In Winchester, staff and students at Peter Symonds College have been celebrating as the graduating class receives their grades.

The pass rate for pupils at the college stands at 98 per cent, with 33 per cent of grades awarded being A* or A. Meanwhile, the proportion of the highest grades (A*, A, B) is 63 per cent, while the pass rate for vocational courses is 99.3 per cent, with 58 per cent of grades awarded at Distinction and Distinction* level.

Principal Sara Russell, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our students’ grades. They have done brilliantly and we are extremely proud of each and every one of them.

READ MORE: A-level results day 2024 LIVE: Updates from across North Hampshire

“There was some suggestion that nationally, 2024 would see a fall in student grades but it is not something Symonds has seen; our results are even higher than those achieved in 2023. Traditionally, Symonds students out-perform their peers and this year is no exception, with a third of students achieving the very top grades of A*-A and two thirds getting A*-B. That is truly exceptional.”

Among the students celebrating was Milo Euling, who attended Westgate before studying at Peter Symonds. He had achieved an A in photography and two Distinction*s in digital media despite undergoing emergency surgery for a brain tumour.

Milo Euling (Image: Chris Atkinson)

He said: “I’m really ecstatic, I am really pleased with my results after everything that has happened recently. I’m heading to Southampton to study television production because I love TV, the digital media course has really prepared me for it.”

Meanwhile, Gab Domantay, who was a Bishop Challoner in Basingstoke before going to Peter Symonds, was really pleased with his results.

Getting an A* in biology, an A in chemistry, an A in maths and an A* in his EPQ means he has succeeded in getting into University College London to study medicine.

Gab Domantay (Image: Chris Atkinson)

He told the Chronicle: “I'm really happy with my results. Because of my grades, I'm going to my first choice. It has been absolutely emotional rollercoaster, there have been so many ups and downs, but I'm happy with what I've achieved. I've been in the library everyday, from 9am to 8pm!”

Another high achiever was former Cowplain School pupil Evie Taylor, who achieved four A*s in maths, further maths, computer science and physics. She will be off to Oxford to study maths.

She said: “I was worried and anxious after the exams, I thought I'd messed one of them up. But I'm happy with my results, I've always done pretty well academically.”

Evie Taylor (Image: Chris Atkinson)

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Former Peter Symonds Student Union president Zac Harrison has got three As in double business and law. He is going on to do a law apprenticeship.

He said: “To the next round of students, I hope you have fun, don't take yourself too seriously, and enjoy every moment you can.”

Jacob Caldwell (left) with Noah Sheen (Image: Chris Atkinson)

Noah Sheen is going to Hokkaido University to study Japanese after receiving an A in Italian, an A in French, a B in Law, and a Merit in Performing Arts.

He said: “I'm really pleased, and proud of how far I've come.

“I love learning languages, and thought about doing a year abroad, and then thought why not do my entire course abroad!”

Elsewhere in Winchester, St Swithins School said that it had received its strongest set of A-Level results in a non-pandemic year since 2015.

92 per cent of A Levels at the all-girls school were graded A* to B while over two-thirds (68 per cent) were A*/A.

Half of the year group earned grades AAA and above while three-quarters gained AAB or higher. 40 per cent of U6 students achieved at least one A* grade.

St Swithun’s headmistress Jane Gandee said, “These A-level results reflect the energy and curiosity that our students bring to their studies, alongside the unwavering commitment of our staff. At St Swithun's, we aim to develop our students’ ability to think independently and to challenge assumptions both in and beyond the classroom. This has served them well in their A-levels and should do the same at university and beyond.”

In Eastleigh, Barton Peveril reported that nearly a third of all A level students achieved either an A* or an A; 98.5 per cent of A level students passed their A levels with 59 per cent achieving A*-B grades. 100 per cent of students studying Level 3 Vocational subjects, which are the equivalent to A levels, passed their courses with over 83 per cent achieving a Distinction* or Distinction.

Principal Rob Temple said: “We are delighted that the hard work and dedication shown by our students over the past two years has paid off for them - they have been an absolute pleasure to teach. The outcomes published today are also a testament to the staff's consistent commitment to providing high-quality education and support to their students”.

Alton College reported a pass rate of 98 per cent, with almost half of its students achieving A* to B grades. This includes 40 per cent of pupils studying further maths obtaining either A* or A grades.