WELLINGTON Academy, situated between Tidworth and Ludgershall, has improved its academic performance this year.

The improvement follows the greater involvement by sponsors Wellington College last September.

The academy is sending a record number of pupils, 49, to university, which is 70 per cent of the sixth form – twice the 2013 figure.

A-level and BTEC results at the school are up on last year, with significant gains in many areas.

The number achieving A*-C at A-level is 58 per cent, an increase on 2013, and 100 per cent achieved A*-E.

The school secured a 100 per cent pass rate for BTEC, an impressive 72 per cent of these with Distinction.

Dr Michael Milner, principal, said: “I am delighted that so many of our hard-working students are going to be heading for university this year, and congratulate all those receiving their results today.

“Since I came to the academy from Wellington College last year, the teaching, pastoral staff and I have put enormous focus on the things that make a difference to academic achievement: raising expectations of pupils, increasing their self-belief, improving standards of behaviour inside and outside the classroom and ensuring that teaching and learning at the school is the best it can be.

“We have also received good support this year from Wellington College staff who have helped some of our teachers and also run weekly Saturday schools and an Easter school to give a boost to our students in English and maths.

“There has also been a visiting student programme between the college and the academy, which I am certain has helped to boost aspirations amongst our students.

“These results demonstrate the potential there is at the academy, not just at AS and A-levels, but in applied subjects studied at BTEC, which we value highly for those students who prefer a more practical path.

“I am greatly encouraged by this excellent progress, achieved while also ensuring that the pupils received a rounded education in activities including sport, art, drama and music.”

The figures include some brilliant individual performers.

Boarder Dylan Cope celebrated a phenomenal achievement with two A* grades in maths and further maths, securing a place at Bristol University to study computer science in September.

Dylan also passed the STEP maths paper set by Cambridge University underlining his exceptional mathematical flair.

Daniel Dalton, head boy, achieved A grades in maths and economics and a distinction in ICT and Business, and he will take up a place studying accountancy in Bath after a year out.

In Year 12, newly appointed head girl Alix Williams achieved three A grades in AS politics, economics and maths, and will be applying to Oxbridge this autumn, the first in the school's history.

Newly appointed head boy Matthew Bates secured A grades in AS level history and media and a B in psychology.