BOLTON Sixth Form students celebrate a top set of results which bosses believe will put it in the top 10 per cent of schools and colleges nationally in terms of value added performance.

Results, particularly in English, the humanities were extremely strong and a “significant” rise was seen in the grades in the STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and maths,.

More than 80 per cent of students will continue their studies at university with many going on to study at Durham, Manchester, Birmingham and Lancaster.

Among the high achievers was Alesha Meredith, who has won a scholarship from Durham from KPMG, meaning her tuition fees will be paid for. She said: “It was hard, there were five stages, but it means I will leave university with no debt and have a job at the end of it.”

Alesha, who scored three As and B, said: “I only had three hours sleep the night before and I am so excited to be going.”

A number of high achieving students have also been accepted on higher apprenticeship programmes. Principal Steve Wetton said: “In February we received endorsement from Ofsted that we are indeed a Good College equipping our students through our high standards of teaching, pastoral and enrichment provision with the skills necessary to move on to both university and the workplace.”