A Level Results Day 2025

Students and staff at Saffron Walden County High School are celebrating on A level results day. Over 100 A* grades were achieved by students this year, alongside multiple starred Distinctions in Vocational qualifications. 65 students gained at least 1 A*, with 26 students achieving 2 or more and 11 individuals sweeping the board with at least 3 A*s.

Top performers include Patrick Bergin, Mae Bissett and Ali Tobitt who all achieved 4 A* grades each. Patrick, who has won a place to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge, said, “I am so appreciative of all the support and encouragement I’ve received from my teachers.” Mae, who is heading off to study English at Leeds, said, “I am grateful for the amazing teaching at SWCHS. I’m happy to have worked hard; it’s nice to get good results.” Ali is excited to be going to Imperial College London to study Earth and Planetary Science.

Maria Abascal, who achieved 3A*s in Art, Film Studies and English Literature, also received special recognition from the exam board, having achieved full marks in her English Literature exams.

Alice Foote achieved 3A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths and is excited to be taking up her place at Edinburgh University to study Veterinary Medicine. “Thank you, SWCHS, it’s been a great 7 years!” she said.

Charlie Thompson will be completing a degree apprenticeship at Schroders, after achieving A*A*A in Business, Economics and Geography.

Zac Brunner has achieved stunning results, bearing in mind he has spent most of the winter months representing England in skiing. Zac achieved A*A*A in Chemistry, Economics and Maths and will now be studying Economics at Bath University. “I loved my time at SWCHS,” said Zac. “My teachers have been amazing at making student-athlete life work.”

Jad Fawaz has achieved brilliant outcomes with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in Business and IT, along with Michael Manzo, who has achieved Distinction* Distinction* Distinction* in Business and Digital Media and is taking up a place at York to study Business Management. Elliot Brand is also delighted to have achieved Distinction, Merit, Merit in Art and IT, a fantastic achievement.

Sports students Gabriella Crowland and Lily Smyth are both celebrating, having achieved Distinctions* Distinction* in Sport this year. The school is also very proud of Tom Hammond, who has achieved Merit, Merit, Merit in Sport and Business.

SWCHS female STEM students have performed incredibly well, including Jocelyn Berthoud (A*A*A*) who said, “my teachers have been so amazing,” and Emma Proudfoot, who is excited to be taking up her degree apprenticeship with Airbus, following her excellent results.

There are a number of similarly exceptional grades in Economics this year with a large number of students celebrating top grades. This year, 26 students will be accepting an Economics-based course at university, including Ruben Cox (A*AA)and Jonathan Coe (A*A*AAA) who will both be studying Economics and Management at Oxford. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SWCHS and am grateful for all the extra-curricular opportunities that were available,” said Ruben.

A number of other students will also be taking up Oxford places, including Joe Saward (A*A*A*A), who will be studying Maths & Philosophy, and Kiên Tordoff (A*A*A) who is reading Material Sciences. Awab Kazuz (A*A*A*) and Elizabeth Obeng (A*A*A) will also be studying History and History and English respectively. “I still can’t really believe it,” said Elizabeth. “Every moment at SWCHS has been amazing and I am really grateful to the school for everyone’s support.”

One student to watch out for in the future is Emily McGregor, who is taking up her place next year at the University of the Creative Arts, where she will be studying acting for stage and screen.

Headteacher Polly Lankester said, “We are delighted for our students and grateful to our staff. These grades are a testament to the hard work of students and the care and support they have received in their time at County High. We are thrilled that they are now accessing their preferred university courses, competitive apprenticeship programmes, and exciting employment opportunities.”

Amy Kennedy, Director of Sixth Form, added, “We are so proud of what these students have achieved and appreciate the wonderful contribution they have made to our school community. They have been a very special year group and I will miss them terribly! We wish all students well as they take their next steps and are looking forward to hearing about their future successes.”