A Level and BTEC students studying at Sixth Forms and colleges across the county have amassed an impressive haul of grades - with one claiming their best results since 2011. 

Students at Framlingham College are now planning to head off across the country, from Exeter, Durham and York universities to the Royal Academy of Music. 

Principal Louise North said the results are the best since 2011 when using 2019 results as a comparison. 

A third of pupils achieved A*/A equivalent grades and 88% of pupils gained A Level grades A* - C. Pupils studying BTECs have also seen high results with over 74% achieving A*/A grade equivalents. 

She said: "We are, as always, very proud of our pupils and the hard work, resilience and focus that they have demonstrated throughout their Sixth Form studies. No one should need reminding that these were the first public examinations that this cohort of pupils have experienced, having missed out on GCSE exams due to the pandemic.

"The richness and diversity of our pupils’ next steps demonstrates our commitment to enabling each child to be aspirational and to create their own story.”

Eastern Education Group which oversees One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, Abbeygate Sixth Form College and West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds has congratulated this year's cohort. 

At ONE, a total of 851 students received either A-level or BTEC grades.

Bury Mercury: Luca Bernstein will be heading to Oxford University to study history,Luca Bernstein will be heading to Oxford University to study history, (Image: Suffolk ONE)

For Luca Bernstein it means he is heading off to Oxford University to study History.

The 17-year-old from Debenham said: “It won’t feel real until I get there. I couldn’t have asked for a better time at One Sixth Form College. The environment has been perfect for me.”

In terms of A levels, OSFC saw a 96% overall pass rate, with a 71% of students achieving grades at A* to C and 43% at A* to B.

99% of all BTEC students passed their vocational qualifications.

Jake Robson, group sixth form principal at OSFC said: “We are delighted with the achievements of our students, following what has been a challenging time for young people in this country. As ever, in times of adversity their natural enthusiasm and determination to succeed shines through.

Abbeygate Sixth Form College achieved a 97.2% pass rate. 

Bury Mercury: Elaine Abu achieved ABB at Abbeygate and will now study English and French at Edinburgh. Elaine Abu achieved ABB at Abbeygate and will now study English and French at Edinburgh. (Image: Abbeygate Sixth Form)

At Suffolk New College, there was a widescale celebration among T Level learners.

The qualifications have been designed by employers and the government to offer workforces the skills they need to work across many industries. 

They are post GCSE qualifications equivalent to three A levels and incorporate 315 hours (or around 45 days) of work experience.

Two of these learners – Abi Kemp and Aimee Stephenson – received the top grade possible by gaining a distinction.

Bury Mercury: Aimee Stephenson, from Ipswich, received the top grade possible with her distinction. Aimee Stephenson, from Ipswich, received the top grade possible with her distinction. (Image: SNC)

Bury Mercury: Abi Kemp, from Leiston, received the top grade possible with her distinction. Abi Kemp, from Leiston, received the top grade possible with her distinction. (Image: SNC)

Abi Kemp, 18, Leiston said: “I am very happy (with my results), it’s got me to where I wanted to get next, so I’m happy about. It’s been fun (at the college), we’ve had a really nice group of people - we’re all on like the same wavelength. Next up, I’m going to study primary education in Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge.”

Aimee Stephenson, 18, from Ipswich said: “I am very happy with the results, I am overly pleased, I think I did way better than I ever thought I would. I got a distinction. In terms of my time at Suffolk New College it’s been really nice, everyone’s been so welcoming and supportive throughout the course - it makes it a lot easier to study. In terms of what’s next, I am hoping to eventually become a primary school teacher.”

Bury Mercury: Liam Earley also successfully passed his qualification and even got the chance to go to Westminster to share his experiences in front of MPs and ministers.Liam Earley also successfully passed his qualification and even got the chance to go to Westminster to share his experiences in front of MPs and ministers. (Image: SNC)

Marianne Flack is the deputy principal of Suffolk New College. She said: “We were proud to be one of the first colleges in the country to offer T Levels back in 2020 and this provision is growing in stature and popularity.

“I’d like to congratulate all our learners for their hard work and dedication, the staff who supported them and the businesses who have given our students work experience opportunities to put them in the best place possible to positively progress.”