Despite the promised 'toughening up' of grade boundaries, the students of Northampton School for Boys have once again come up trumps!  The performance of students is the second best in the history of the school and there are a huge number who are now taking up their places at their chosen universities.

Mike Griffiths, headmaster of NSB, said: "We are delighted that our key indicators are again up on last year.  This year, we have also entered many students for the Extended Project Qualification and this has been particularly well received by top universities. 

"57% of all passes were at grades B and above, and a record 32% of ALL passes were at grades A* or A !  42% of all students got at least one top A grade, and a remarkable 37 young people - over 20% of the cohort - got nothing below an A grade! 

"The spread of success goes across many subjects - especially Maths in where 48 of 85 candidates got an A or A* grade and Further Maths where 16 of 22 candidates did so.  A remarkable 91% of English Literature students achieved at least a B grade - and History, Chemistry, Sociology, Physics, Spanish, English Language, Geography, Design, Art were all 'stand-out' performers!"

Deirdre Kennedy, an Assistant Head who is Director of 6^th Form, said: "We are delighted that our extensive advice and guidance programme is again paying dividends.  Huge numbers of students are extremely happy today having now stepped onto the next rung of the ladder to success.  I am so pleased for the students who have worked so hard, some to achieve relatively modest success, but success which moves them on to their chosen career path.  I am delighted for our 5 students who are off to Oxbridge this year - Matthew Battison, David Page, William Jones, Charlie Jarvis and Casey Burgess."

Peter Loughney, the Head of Year 13 this year added: "I am so pleased that those who have chosen to pursue Higher Education have the grades to now do so.  They have been a fantastic year group and deserve their success.  I am presently in Malawi with 24 of our sixth form students, working to support youngsters out here in a very disadvantaged community!  This commitment to not only themselves but also to others less fortunate is what makes NSB such a fantastic experience for all who work there - staff and students!"

Mike Griffiths added: "I am immensely proud of our student body. Some may not be academic superstars, but they too have qualities that will make them strive for and achieve success in their adult lives. I wish them all - every single one - the very best for the future."

Star performers included:

4A*           Matthew Battison, Premal Patel

3A*/1A      William Jones

3A*           William Fazackerley

Others with at least AAA grades:

Christopher Alexander, Lily Beech, Chloe Borderick, Rhianna Bridgewater, Sarah Coulter-Brophy, Ciara Crosby, Marcus Dimmock, Christopher Evans, David Farmer, Ryan Fletcher, Chris Frampton, Tomi Francis, Louise Haladij, Anthony Hayhoe, Charlie Jarvis, Emily Long, Alex Lumsden, Sarah Lusack, David Mandeville, Mikesh Mistry, Edward Moffat, Ryan Murphy, David Page, Emily Pilcher, Christopher Sefton, Hinesh Shah, Nitish Shah, Abrar Syed, Kirstie Thorneycroft, Matthew Walder, Matthew Wilde, William Wood, Ed Wootton.