Ponteland High School headteacher, Stefan McElwee, said: "Ponteland High School is very pleased to report some outstanding achievements by its students in their A levels and other qualifications this summer. Students have achieved superb results across all subjects and we are really proud of their achievements.

"A brilliant 14 students achieved a clean sweep of grades awarded at A* and or A, which is a phenomenal achievement, particularly in light of the disruption to their studies during the Covid years," he added.

Notable performances include:

• Molly Dufton:                        4 x A*  Fine Art, Maths, Further Maths and Physics
• Ojas Rajkumar:                    4 x A*   Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths
• Marion Vollmer :                   3 x A*  Fine Art, Chemistry and German - 1 Grade A - Maths
• Sam Bullock:                        3 x A*  Business Studies, History and Philosophy and Ethics
• Connor Petts:                       3 X A* English Literature, Maths and Further Maths - 1A -   French
• Amy Sparshott                     2 x A* and 1 A   Biology, Psychology and Chemistry
• Jasmine Lever                     2 x A* and 1 A   English Literature, Philosophy and Ethics and Maths
• Erin Bullerwell                     1 A* and 2 A  English Literature, Media Studies and Psychology
• Matthew Dobson:                1 A* and 2 A  Maths, Further Maths and Physics
• Omar Tumia:                       1 A * and 2 A  Maths, Chemistry and Physics
• Gabriella Turnbull:               1 A * and 2 A  Biology, Chemistry and Maths
• Eloise Woods:                     1 A* and 2 A  Physics, Maths and Philosophy and Ethics
• Haaris Qureshi:                    3 Grade A   Biology, Chemistry and Maths
• Aaron Edwards                    1 Distinction * and 2 Distinction   IT, Sport and Human Biology

Three students, Joseph Anderson, Molly Dufton and Ojas Rajkumar, will be studying at Oxford University from September.

This year, students sat public exams for the second time since the Covid pandemic. Ofqual’s (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) approach to grading in 2023 broadly reflects the grade distributions of 2019, the last group of students unaffected by the Covid pandemic.

Mr McElwee said: “We are delighted with the results achieved by our Year 13 students this year. When comparing the results of our students with our 2019 cohort we have seen significant improvements across all subject areas. This is extremely pleasing and is a suitable reward for our students and staff.

"I am very proud of their efforts and achievements. I was delighted to share in their successes with them this morning and from conversations with them I know they are very excited to move on to their next destinations. The majority of them will head to their first choice university and I look forward to hearing from them when they return home at Christmas.

"Our teachers have worked tirelessly with our students and have ensured they have been well supported academically and emotionally. They too can celebrate the successes of their students and feel pride in how well they continue to serve all the students in our school.

"I hope our Year 13 students will look back on their time with us fondly. They are exceptional, inspiring and talented young people who deserve every success."