FOR the second year running Malmesbury School produced its best ever set of A-Level results with 84 per cent getting A* to C grades.

Asked what was the secret to his school’s sustained success headteacher Tim Gilson said: “The whole thing is down to the hard work of students and excellent teachers.

“These are our best ever A-Level results.

“The vast majority have been able to get the university course they wanted which is very exciting.

“The students have done extremely well and we’re just helping the last couple through clearing.”

Thirty-nine percent of A-Level grades were in the A* to A range with 56 per cent A* to B.

With reports in the national media that students are taking ‘softer’ A-Level subjects to boost results Mr Gilson was keen to point out the academic rigour involved in the subjects of his Year 13.

“As you look down the list of subjects our pupils have taken and excelled at there are a lot of traditionally academic subjects,” he said.

“We’ve had lots of students getting good grades in Maths, English Lit, History and the Sciences.”

Despite the furore around funding for higher education Mr Gilson said there had not been a drop off in students applying for university courses.

He said: “I think students realise that this is the best preparation for them.

“There are not many jobs out there and students are aware that higher education is every more crucial.”

Twenty-one per cent of pupils managed to get three or more A* or A grades with a further 21 students getting two A* or A grades among their other results.