STUDENTS at Stanford and Corringham's Sixth Form Centre have been celebrating A-Level results today (Thursday, 18 August)

This year at the Sixth Form Centre run by the Ortu Federation, 99.4% of students had more than 2 A*-E GCE passes, with the average GCE grade rising from C+ in 2021 to a B- in 2022. 56% of students had two or more A* and Bs, and 28% had 3 or more A*s and As. Some of the best performing subjects this year were Art, Biology, English Literature, Law, Textiles, Sociology, Photography, Further Maths and Criminology.

The centre's new principal Gary Lewis said: "I am genuinely thrilled for all the students, for the hard work they have put in, the grades they have achieved, and most of all for the fact that all have secure destinations to go to. Well done to all students and also congratulations too all staff for their commitment and dedication they have unwaveringly shown to allow students to reach their full protentional. Well done everybody, you should all be very proud."

And centre director Sue Weston added: "I am over the moon for the young people of our centre. I am so proud of all my students who have worked hard in such difficult circumstances and I wish them every success for the future."

From left: Sophie Runcorn, Joshua Smith and Josh Partridge.

Among students celebrating is 18-year-old Joshua Smith from Corringham who achieved A* in English Literature, A* in History and A in Law and is going to Lancaster University to study Law. He said: "We spent December to March in lockdown last year, which was a challenge, but you adapt to it and take it in your stride. The teachers at the Sixth Form were amazing – I couldn't have asked for more support, especially Mr Partridge who taught law. The course at Lancaster does a clinical learning course – you're given real world problems and get some hands-on experience."

Sophie Runcorn, 18, from Stanford-Le-Hope, will also be going to Lancaster University to study Criminology having achieved A* in English Literature, A in History and A* in Psychology. Her dream job is to work for a national crime agency. She said: "I went to Gable Hall and the teachers were great, so I knew that the Sixth Form would be amazing. I want to thank Ms Ellis and Mr Partridge especially."

Charlotte Mailey, 18, from Stanford-le-Hope, will be joining the University of Kent to study Clinical Psychology in September after achieving an A* and two As. She said: "The best bit about being at the Sixth Form was the history department, I loved it."

Grainne Corrigan.

Also planning to study criminal investigation, but at the University of Derby, is Grainne Corrigan, 18, from Stanford-le-Hope. She hopes to work for the police one day and said: "My exams were very challenging, the last time we sat exams was SATs because of Covid – but all of my teachers were fantastic and supportive."

Heading for Loughborough University to study sports psychology is Josh Partridge, 18, from Corringham,having achieved A* Law, A* PE and A in Psychology. He said: "The dream is to work as a sports scientist doing research. I've really enjoyed my time at the Sixth Form - my dad teaches law at the school, so he was very pleased."

Other high achieving students include Flynn Adams, 18 from Linford, who will be studying physiotherapy at university; Joseph McCarthy, 18 from Corringham, who will be heading to Chester to start a degree in biotechnology and Kacey Hambleton, 18 from Chafford Hundred, A* in criminology, A in language and literature and A in media.