ANDOVER College students were celebrating as they smashed through the 99 per cent pass rate barrier to achieve a 99.3 per cent pass in all A-level subjects.

This is higher than the national pass rate of 98 per cent.

High grades are also on the up with an increase of four per cent on last year, with 72 per cent achieving grades A-C and 33 per cent achieving A*-B.

The college achieved 100 per cent pass rates in 53 subject areas, demonstrating excellence across the full range of subjects, with notable strengths in the sciences, maths and communications, which achieved A*- B grades above 50 per cent.

College principal Tim Jackson said: “It is widely acknowledged that Andover College’s strength is delivering outstanding teaching in an environment distinctly different to other colleges.

“This is evidenced today in our 99.3 per cent pass rate, a significant increase in students achieving high grades and A*-B grades.

“This student-centric approach ensures we have happy, confident students who achieve great results.”

Amber Newton is a stand out student who achieved A*, A, A and A in her humanities subjects, giving her a head start on to her degree course in English and American studies at the University of Winchester.

Joining the college from Testbourne School, she said: “I have had an excellent two years of brilliant teaching, support and encouragement.

“The smaller classes and one to one support make learning enjoyable and based on my grades today, it clearly works!”

Twins Yi and Kai Chen demonstrated their exceptional scientific and mathematical knowledge achieving another clean sweep of A*, A*, A, A and A between them.

The brothers, who joined Andover College from Stonehenge School, speak English as a second language and have received excellent support from Mandarin-speaking maths tutor Kah-wei Lo, which has helped them enormously in settling into college and achieving their outstanding grades.

Kai has secured a place at the University of Birmingham to study electronic and electrical engineering and brother Yi is off to the University of Bath to study computer sciences.

Katie Chambers is an excellent example of the “Outstanding” teaching in the creative arts by racking up an A* and an A for fine art and graphics.

Katie, formerly a student at Test Valley School, said: “I’m staying on at Andover College to study the Foundation Diploma before going to the art college.

“I’ve been inspired by my tutors who helped me achieve these top grades and I’m really looking forward to coming back.”

Head of faculty for sixth form Ben Stokes enjoyed celebrating with the students.

He said: “We have a dynamic team of enthusiastic teachers who know the students individually and work to build self belief and self esteem as much as their theoretical and practical knowledge.

“This shows in the results; happy motivated students achieve naturally and we encourage our students to aim high.”