There were warm hugs and heartfelt congratulations in Truro School’s sixth form common room on Thursday morning as students celebrated two years of hard work.

Over 40 per cent of grades at Truro School were A* or A, with 16 per cent in the top A* bracket. Over two-thirds of results scored between A* and B, improving on last year’s results.

There were subject-based triumphs across a broad range of curriculum. Art achieved a 90 per cent A*-B rate; The maths, economics and history secured A*-B rates of 83, 82 and 80 per cent respectively. Biology, geology, German and Spanish closely followed with A*-B rates of 75 per cent or more.

In the school’s extended project qualification, an optional extra A level where students take on a project of their choice, 15 out of 18 students achieved either an A* or an A grade.

At the top end of results, over 20 per cent of the entire year group achieved three A*-A grades or more. All six Oxbridge candidates secured their places at Oxford and Cambridge universities. Around only one in five students are successful in applying to Oxbridge university nationally, however Truro School’s Oxbridge programme has bucked the trend with an acceptance rate standing at more than twice the national average.

Head master Mr Gordon-Brown, said: “I am very proud of our sixth form students who are enjoying the fruits of their terrific efforts over the last two years. We are celebrating both with our academic high flyers and those for whom more modest grades are a real triumph.

"I am delighted that 25 students have achieved three A/A* grades or better. The top 100 students in the cohort achieved close on 80 per cent A*-B across their exam entries. Equally, with a 99 per cent pass rate, there are many students whose C and D grades are a great testament to their effort and the value added in the classroom by our dedicated teachers.”

He added: “The change to linear A levels has meant a more enjoyable educational experience for our sixth formers. It has been a joy for our teachers to claw back additional teaching time by not having the prepare students for AS exams in the lower sixth which do not count towards the full A level.

"The move has also allowed our students to make the most of their individual talents, taking advantage of the many enrichment options on offer, and developing the leadership and employability skills which in the end will be just as important as their academic qualifications.

"Their passion for music, drama, sport and outdoor pursuits has been exceptional, as has the leadership roles they have played as school prefects, enhancing our reputation as a leading school in the South West committed to educating the whole person, mind, body and spirit.”