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There were celebrations today among staff and students as Exeter College broke all previous records to achieve a 99 per cent pass rate among its A level students.

Of these, half of all 16- to 18-year-olds who had sat their exams this summer had obtained grades A to B across a range of 40 subjects. In 29 subjects, the pass rate was 100 per cent, students notably excelling in the sciences, which saw a 100 per cent pass rate for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with almost half of Physics students receiving a grade A.

Humanities students did not let the side down either, with 100 per cent pass rates for 2009 in History, English, and Geography, and those studying Media Studies and Music were among the many others reporting equally good results.

The pass rate for those taking Further Mathematics was again 100 per cent with 45% gaining Grade A, while of the 116 students who had opted to take the college’s Psychology course – the A level with the greatest number of entrants this year – 40% achieved an A or B.

Speaking as the results of almost 600 Exeter College students who sat their A levels this year were officially announced this morning, Principal Richard Atkins said:

“These results are stunning. Particularly at a time when Science and Maths are in the news, I’m delighted to say that this year our students have achieved excellent results in these demanding subjects, which should enable them to gain places at top universities.”

While Modern Languages is another area currently seeing a demise in interest among school leavers, the College offered great encouragement for the future, recording a 100 per cent pass rate among its A level students in French, German, and Spanish.

With a high pass rate, A-S level students did not disappoint either, providing a firm basis for the performance of those going on to take their A levels at Exeter College next year. In A-S Sociology, for example, 40% of students achieved a grade A.

Vocational results, which many students use as their passport to university through National Diploma qualifications, were also pleasing, showing an indicative pass rate of 96 per cent, with more results to follow.

Of today’s high achievers at A level, Richard said: “This year, we’ve seen the highest pass rate, the highest proportion of As and Bs, and the highest number of students who have secured straight A grades at A level. This follows on from our successful results for the International Baccalaureate earlier this year.

“In this day and age, where there is such great competition for university places, we are delighted to think that we will be able to help all our students go on to pursue their studies further, or to embark on their chosen careers.”