THERE were lots of smiles this morning and nerves turned into elation as students at a Basingstoke college collected their A-level results.

Hundreds of students from Queen Mary’s college marked another successful year for results despite the percentage of students achieving A* to C grades dropping by five per cent to 70 per cent this year.

The overall pass rate for the A-level results fell marginally to 98 per cent, with 41 per cent of pupils achieving A* to B grades.

College principal, Ali Foss, was pleased with this year’s results, telling The Gazette: “It is a fantastic set of results and it has been really lovely today speaking with students and seeing them so confident about what they are doing next.

“Some of them are going to university, others are going into apprenticeships and others have got other plans. It is fantastic to know we have equipped them so well.

“They have worked very hard and the transition from GCSEs is not to be underestimated – it is a big jump for first years as there is no January module so this is the first time when they know if they have got it right or not.

“It is lovely to see then hanging around and wanting to talk to each other and celebrate with each other.”

Among those who came to the college to pick up their results was Christian Sallows, of Quilter Road, Brighton Hill.

The 23-year-old had returned to the college after his dream of becoming a footballer ended when he was released by Eastleigh Football Club after a few months of being at the club.

He received an A* in Ancient History and A’s in Media and Sociology, and will now go on to study Ancient History at Bristol University.

Christian told The Gazette: “When I was young, I was misbehaved and all I cared about was football and this ridiculous dream that I would be a footballer and I got released from the football team and worked in insurance and I wanted to get out of it and try education again.

“I never really had any self belief but I was surprised with how much they helped with that. I did so much better than I expected.”

Another local college to enjoy success was Lord Wandsworth College, with the overall pass rate announced as 99 per cent.

However, figures dropped from last year, with the number of students achieving A* to C grades dropping from 90 per cent to 83 per cent this year. 

The number of pupils achieving the top A* and A grades also dropped from 45 per cent last year to 38 per cent this year.

Adam Williams, who will be taking over as headteacher in September, said: “On behalf of all the staff at the College, I would like to congratulate the pupils on achieving some fine results this summer, results which will now open other doors and opportunities for their future lives”.

“To have achieved excellence in their chosen academic areas of expertise, whilst being so committed to the all-round life of LWC pupils as well as involvement in the community, they have demonstrated the character traits that our school community believes in so strongly. We are hugely proud of their efforts and wish them the best for the next stage of their lives”.

For more coverage on the A-level results across north Hampshire, pick up your copy of The Gazette, on sale from August 20.