A Budleigh Salterton youngster is in high spirits after notching four of the newly-introduced A* grades at A-level

A TEENAGER from Budleigh Salterton is celebrating after achieving a handful of the highest, newly-introduced grades at A-level.

Lizzie German, who attends Colyton Grammar School, scooped not just one – but four coveted A* grades.

The marks, which were introduced for the first time, are reserved for around the top seven per cent of achievers nationally. The youngster now plans to read chemistry at Oxford University.

Phoebe Hall, from Lympstone, and Bethan Roberts, from Exmouth, who also attended Colyton Grammar, both achieved three A* grades and two As.

Paul Evans, head teacher, said it was good to see that the hard work of students and staff had paid off.

“This group of young people have experienced a rich and varied programme while maintaining very high academic standards.

“They have had a broader experience and are well placed for the challenges at the top universities who tell us that they value what we have done.

“It’s good to see students across the ability range achieving their targets and getting the grades that they need for their next step.”

At Exmouth Community College, 13 teenagers notched the new A* grade.

They included Eleanor Langlois, Caitlin Wilson, Jonathan Pearson and James Norton.

The overall pass rate at the college, however, dropped compared with last year, from 95 to 93 per cent. The pass rate nationally rose for the 28th year in a row.

Sixty-one-per cent of students at the school scooped A to C grades – down from 63 in 2009.The number who achieved As including the new A* was 15 per cent.

Exmouth Community College’s results at AS level also suffered a drop compared with 12 months ago.

The amount of youngsters who achieved an A to C grade fell by nine percent from 49 last year to 40 per cent this time around.

A number of organisations are offering advice to A-level students who want to go to university and did not get the grades they wanted.

If you need help applying through clearing or adjustment, or have a query about your university application, you can call the UCAS Customer Service Unit on 0871 468 0468.