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Maths and science help plot path to university ; Traditional subjects see an increase in popularity [Sentinel, The (Stoke-on-Trent, England)](Sentinel, The (Stoke-on-Trent, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) GROWING numbers of savvy teenagers are plumping for maths and science Alevels as they try to plot their best chance of getting into university and securing careers. A resurgence of these traditionally weighty subjects has been seen across Staffordshire and Cheshire, with many young people scoring high grades in them this summer. Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College today put the phenomenon down to the 'Russell Group effect', with the country's leading universities naming the A-levels they prefer candidates to have taken when they apply for degree courses. College principal Helen Pegg said: "I think young people are picking up on some of these messages. We've got a lot of that beginning to happen and it will have a bigger impact next year." It comes after critics nationally have derided young people for picking so-called 'soft' A-level options like media studies. Rachel Bowers, from Milton, has achieved an A* in maths, along with A grades in further maths and physics, and a B in German. The 18-year-old, who studied at Stokeon-Trent Sixth Form College, said: "Maths has a lot of transferable skills, which really helps. I'm going to go to Durham University next to study maths. "But I think it should be up to the individual to decide whether or not to study maths up to the age of 18. If somebody really can't understand or enjoy the subject, it's better that they do something they want to do." Eighteen-year-old Yankai Ren, from Middleport, picked maths at A- level because he enjoys it, rather than as a strategic move. He said: "Maths is pretty much the theory of life. But it does also open opportunities for you." Yankai has gained A* grades in maths and further maths and an A in chemistry after studying at Newcastle College. "I'm going to go to Imperial College to study computing," he said. Nationally, entries for maths and further maths at A-level have shot up by 7.4 per cent this year. Biology, chemistry and physics have also had a major boost, with entries increasing by 7.2 per cent, 9.2 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively. But the decline in people taking modern foreign languages has continued. The proportion of students opting to study French has dropped by 4.7 per cent. And German entries have plummeted by 6.9 per cent. Michael Hall, from Clayton, described it as a "real shame". He achieved an A in his German A-level, along with an A* in history and an A in English. The 18-year-old Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College said: "German is a fabulous language to study. But it is relatively difficult to learn. In a very competitive job market, having knowledge of another language helps." Michael is now planning to take a degree in German and English literature at Birmingham University. Sam Johnson, who studied at Alleyne's High, in Stone, is going much further afield to pursue languages after gaining A grades in French, Spanish and English literature. The 18-year-old, from Stone, said: "I'm moving away for the full three years to study French at the University of London's institute in Paris. Only about 150 people get in. I'd like to stay in Paris afterwards and get a job there too." For Alexander Mytenka, from Tunstall, continuing science was a natural choice. He has gained A grades in physics, biology, and maths after studying at Tunstall's St Margaret Ward Catholic School. But his top A-level subject was geography, where he netted an A*. The 18-year-old said: "I'm going to be studying petroleum geo- science at Imperial College. It's a growing industry because of bio- sources. The course will also look at climate change." Meanwhile, Holly Quinlan is heading to Oxford University to study history. She achieved A*s in history, English literature, and geography in her A-levels at Biddulph High. The 18-year-old, from Mow Cop, said: "I loved history more than anything at school. "There are lots of skills in history, such as research and creating arguments. But it's also important to know about the past." Alice Shirley also took history at Alevel, alongside law, English literature, and citizenship. She has scooped an A* and three As after studying at Moorlands VI Form College, in Cheadle. The 18-year-old, from Cheddleton, will be going to Birmingham University to take a law degree. She said: "I hope university is going to be fun. But I expect it will be tough as well." Emma Wagstaff picked up her A-level results yesterday after finishing a 12-hour night shift at John Munroe Hospital, in Rudyard. The teenager, who studied at Leek High, said: "I've got a full-time job to gain the experience I need to apply for an occupational therapy degree at York's St John University. "I got a C in psychology last year and have added to my qualifications this year, with two Cs and a D, so I hope with the work experience, I will be successful." Meanwhile, 18-year-old Georgina Platt, from Stone, has a completely different career in mind after achieving A, B and C grades in art, English, and history. The Alleyne's High student said: "I'm going to study interior design at Falmouth University. I'd like to look into setting up my own business when I finish my degree." Newcastle College student Lizzie Bridgett, from Tean, also has strong career ideas after getting C grades in biology and chemistry and an E in physics. The 18-year-old said: "I'm going to study equine sports science at Nottingham Trent University. I'm hoping to work with rescue horses and welfare cases." Moorlands VI Form College, Cheadle B Adams BS,Sc,TT; S Alcock,BS,Ci,TT; D Allen BS,ICT,Sc; J Amison Mu,PE,Ps; M Amos B,C,FM,GS,Ph; O Antinoro E Lang,MSt,Rg#,TT*; T Aspin BS,Ci,E Lang,MSt; O Asplin Ci,Dra,EL,H; G Atterbury EL,G,GS,H; J Bagnall BAF,GS,MSt,Rg#; E Ball Ci,EL,H,L;G Bamford Ci,Dra,EL,Pfa,RE#,So*; G Barker BS,EL,RE#,RS; M Bateman BS,Co,GS,ICT; G Beardmore Ci,L,Ps,So; J Beardmore GS,H,M,Ps; M Beardmore GS,H,M,Ps; N Berry E Lang,TT*; A Bettany,E Lang,GS,H,MSt,MT, RE#; S Bloor B,C,GS,H,RE#; H Boast Ci,ICT,Ps,RE#,So*; D Bowers Ci,H,M,So; K Bradbury B,DT,G*,GS,M; E Brandrick,EL,GS,H,Ps; J Brian BS,DT,RE#,TT*; E Brock Ci,DT*,MSt,So; F Brown BS,GS,RE#,Tex; M Buffey BS,GS,H,Ps; H Burnett B,Dra,F; A Carnwell B,GS,H,PE; M Carnwell B,Ci,PE,SiS*; E Charles Ci,E Lang,RE#,RS,Tex; L Cheadle,A,DT,GS,Tex; J Clarke Dra,E Lang,GS,L; H Clowes BS,GS,M,Ps; T Conlon BS,E Lang,GS,MSt,RE#; L Connor A,RE#,Tex; I Cooke B,C,DT,GS,Ph,RE#; L Cooper A,BS,GS,RE#,SiS*; M Cooper G,Geo,GS,ICT,RE#,Sc; J Corden Ci,G,Geo,H; E Cotton BAF,GS,M,RE#; C Cross A,EL,GS,Ps,RE#; L Dawson G,GS,PE,Ps,RE#; C Deaville BS,Ci,RE#,Ps,So; F Deville A,GS,PE,Ps; S Digregorio RE#,Sc,So,TT*; S Dunion B,GS,M,Ph,RE#; S Eardley EL,GS,H,RE#,RS; S Edwards PE,Ps,SiS*; P Ellis-Braithwaite BS,Ci,E Lang,Ps,RE#; N Emery Co,GS,M,Ph; C Eveson BS,Ci,M,Ps; G Finney Ci,E Lang,RE#,Sc,So; L Finney BS,E Lang,G,GS,RE#; R Fisher RS,So,TT*; B Foster F,FM,GS,M,Ps; T Fox EL*,H,So,TT*; M Freeman Ci,Ps,So,TT*; D Frost BS,DT*,E Lang,GS; J Gascoigne BS,E Lang,MSt,RE#; M Gould BS,Ci,G,PE; K Graham B,C,GS,Ps,RE#; H Greatbatch BS,Ci,E Lang,L; C Green BS,G,GS,PE; H Green B,C,Ge,GS,PE; S Grimley BAF,GS,RE#,TT*; S Hale Co,FM,GS,M,Ph,RE#; J Handley BS,GS,ICT,L*,Tex; T Harriden C,FM,GS,M,Mu,Ph, g#; M Hassall,Co,GS,H,Ps; K Heath Dra,G*,Geo,GS; A Hepden E Lang,H,MSt; M Hermolle Dra,PfA,RS; C Hewitt BS,E Lang,GS,MSt,RE#; H Hewitt A,PE; V Hide DT*,GS,ICT,RE#,Sc; K Hill Dra,E Lang,GS,MT,PfA; M Hill BS,Ci,L*,MSt; B Hocking BS,MSt,Ps*; J Holland Ci,E Lang,EL,H; M Holloway BS,ICT,RE#,TT; J Homer BS,Ci,DT,G,RE#; C Howe-McCartin E Lang,EL,GS,H; J Hughes BS,G,TT*; T Hurl-Hodges BS,Ci,E Lang,RE#,RS; A Irwin A,Ci,E Lang,Ps,RE#; R Jackson DT,E Lang,G,RE#; S Jackson BS,Co,G; A Johnson B,Ci*,G,Geo; D Johnson E Lang,GS,Ps,PE; E Johnson EL,F,GS,H,So; Benjamin Jones BS,Ci,Co,DT; Bethani Jones GS,Ps,RE#,So*,Tex; Bradley Jones BS,GS,PE,TT*; R Jones B,GS,H,Ps; C Kerry GS*,Ps,RE#,So; S Kilgallon B,BS,GS*,RE#,RS; S Killeen BAF,GS,RE#,RS,So; H Knight Ci,E Lang,RE#,So,TT*; N Lamonby Sc,So,TT; J Leech B,C,GS,M,RE#; K Leeming F*,FM,GS,M,Mu,Ph,RE#; A Lindop Ci,EL,F,Ps,RE#; E Lloyd Dra,E Lang,RE#,Tex; E Lockley BS,Ci,Ps,So; M Long B,BS,GS,M,Ph,RE#; M Lovatt E Lang,GS,H,MSt; K Lynch Ci,E Lang,RE#,RS,Tex; R Mackie A,GS,TT*; L Malpass A,RE#,TT; G Marlow Dra,GS,PfA,RE#,Tex; D Maya B,BS,GS,M,RE#; L McMullen Co,GS,MSt,MT,RE#; A Meakin A,Ci,EL,MSt,RE#; S Metcalf E Lang,GS,ICT,Ps,RE#; S Micallef BS,F,Ge,RE#; J Millington BS*,Co,Dra,GS; C Morton B,B*,Geo,MSt; L Mountford BS,GS,MSt,RE#,So; S Mountford PE,Ps,TT; S Mycock Ci,E Lang,MSt,Phot*; J Naylor A,EL,GS; T Nguyen A,RE#,Tex; A O'Leary Ci,Co,DT,ICT,RE#; A Oakden B,C,Geo,GS,M,RE#; P Oram A,B,Ci,PE; L Parfitt Ci,L,Ps,So; E Parkinson B*,C,GS,M*,RE#; J Pauley BS,G,GS,RE#,TT*; P Plant Ci,E Lang,EL,H,RE#; G Poole Ci,Dra,E Lang*,EL,RE#; R Pooley Dra,E Lang,GS,PfA,RE#,So*; J Rapacchietta A,BS,DT,GS,RE#; N Redman Ci,Dra,MSt,PfA; J Reeves Ci,E Lang,H, Ps; M Rhead BS,GS,H,L; S Roberts Ci,E Lang,EL,H; D Ross BS,GS,Ps,So; M Rowe B,GS,ICT,M,RE#; P Rwatschew C,FM,GS,M,Ph; R Ryan B,E Lang,GS,MSt,RE#; S Sammons BAF,RE#; M Sargeant Ci,RS*,So; L Saxon RE#,Sc,Tex; T Shaw BS,GS,H,Ps; J Shenton DT,MT,Ph; E Sherratt A,Ci,E Lang,PE; M Sherratt BS,E Lang,GS,M; A Shirley Ci,EL,H,L; H Simpson B,C,GS; L Sims C*,G,GS,ICT; H Smith E Lang,GS,MSt,Ps*,RE#; E Starr B,C,M; C Stevens Ci,Dra,EL,Ps; L Stevenson Ci,F,H,RE#,RS; T Stirling Ci,Dra,E Lang,H; L Stubbs EL,GS,H,So; S Stubbs, B,GS,Ps*,So*; J Swanston BS,Dra,E Lang,RE#; R Thompson Dra,PfA; J Throup-Shaw GS,ICT,Ps,TT*; A Titterton BS,Ps,So*; C Tomlinson H,So,TT*; R Unyolo B,C,Ci,F,M,RE#;A Vedo A,E Lang,Tex; C Veevers Dra*,Ps,RS*,TT*; S Wallace GS,L,RE#,RS,So; D Ward Sc*,SiS,TT*; J Ward A,Ci,DT,G,RE#; S Ward Co,GS,MT,Ph,RE#; L Warrilow B,C,GS,M,RE#; H Watson Ci,Phot*,So; S Watson B,Ci,M,Phot*,Ps; L Weston BS,Ci,EL,H; A White Ci,L,Ps,RE#,Sc; H Williams Ci,EL,F,G,H,RE#; T Willis C,M,Ph*; R Wilson Ci,Dra,MSt,Ps,RE#; E Woodward Ci,H,L,Ps; J Wooldridge FM,M,Ph; C Wright EL,G,Ge,GS,RE#; Leanne Wright GS,MSt,Ps,So; Louise Wright F,GS,M,Ps; M Wright BAF,G*,RE#; A Wyllie BS,Ci,EL,H; L Wyncoll PE,TT; J Yates B,PE,Ps. Biddulph High K Allbutt AD,PfA,Sc; J Angell BS,Ci*,Ps,So; Z Ansell Child; N Baddeley Child; A Baker DT,EL,ICT; L Ball BS,Ci*,EL,H; D Barlow BS,PE; H Barlow Bi,Ch,G,M; J Barlow ICT,MSt; J Beech Child; C Berry Child; R Billings BS; M Birks Child; L Boden H,MSt,Ph; C Bossons DT,ICT,MSt; J Bromley DT*,PE; N Bromley AD,MSt; A Brown AD,Ci*,MSt; S Brown BS,EL,So; S Cannon Child; C Clarke Bi,Ch,Ph; G Conlin EL,Ps,So; D Copeland Bi,Ch,M,Ph; L Dean BS,PE; L Derricott BS,Ps,So; J Dulson MSt,PE,Sc; B Goodwin G,H,Ph; J Guest BS,PE; J Hales BS,MSt,PE; N Hall BS,MSt,Sc; S Hall EL,MSt,Ps,Sc; A Hand G,PE; M Hanson Bi,Ch,Ph; M Harding Ch,PE,Ph; M Hawkings G,H,Mu; J Hepworth BS,PE; R Hilton EL,MSt,Ps; J Hogan Bi,BS,PE; A Hughes So; E Imber Bi; K James PfA; A Johnson Ch,Ci*,ICT,Ph; S Lunn Child; A Machin EL,H,MSt; R Mahan ICT,MSt,PE; A Marks G,M,Mu,Ph; M Marlow Bi,Ch,Ph; T Metcalfe; J Miller BS,PE; J Millington Child; T Morrey BS,PE; A Moult BS,EL,Ps,Sc; H Mullen BS,ICT,MSt; B Murphy G,ICT,MSt; A Pass DT,EL,MSt,Sc; C Percival G,H,MSt; H Pickford ICT,MSt,PE; A Plant BS,PE; K Price EL,ICT,Ps; L Pryor MSt,PE; H Quinlan EL,G,Ge*,H; B Reynolds BS,PE; L Robinson BS,PE; T Russell Bi,G,Ps; T Scragg G,M,Ph; N Senn H,M,Ph; C Sharpe MSt; E Shufflebottom MSt,PE,Sc; K Siddall DT,MSt; S Siddall BS,ICT; J Simpkin HSC,PfA; J Simpson BS,H,Ps; D Slack Ch,ICT,Ph; J Smith BS,Ps; J Smith PE; O Smith BS,EL,H; J Spicer BS,ICT; A Sturgess AD; B Sutcliffe EL,G,PE,So; J Tarris BS,ICT,Ph; L Taylor BS,DT,ICT,MSt; A Thomas Bi,EL,MSt; J Tipper Bi,BS,PE; C Triner EL,H,Ps; A Wallace BS,PE; A Watson PE; P Wayman ICT,MSt; E Weaver Ci*,PE; A White DT,ICT; L Wood DT,EL,H; A Wright PfA; N Yates Bi,EL,G. Subject Key A - Art; Acc - Accounting; AD - Art & Design; Ar - Archaeology; AG - Art Graphics; Arb - Arabic; B - Biology; BAF - Business, Administration & Finance; BE - Business & Economics; BS - Business Studies; BT - Beauty Therapy; Bu - Business; C - Chemistry; Ca - Care; CAM - Creative Arts & Media; Cat - Catering; CC - Classical Civilisation; Ce - Ceramics; Ch - Chinese; Child - Childcare; Ci - Citizenship; Co - Computing; Con - Construction; CS - Critical Studies; CT - Critical Thinking; Da - Dance; Dra - Drama; DT - Design & Technology; E - English Language & Literature; EA - Expressive Arts; Ec - Economics; EE - Electronic & Electrical Engineering; EL- English Literature; E Lang - English Language; Elec - Electronics; Eng - Engineering; ES - Environmental Science; EY - Early Years; F - French; FA - Fine Art; Fash - Fashion & Clothing; FM - Further Maths; FS - Film Studies; G - Geography; Ge - German; Geo - Geology; GD - Graphic Design; GP - Government & Politics; GS - General Studies; H - History; Ha - Hairdressing; HB - Human Biology; HE - Home Economics; Ho - Hospitality; HSC - Health & Social Care; HT - Holistic Therapy; I - Italian; ICT - Information & Communications Technology; IM - Interactive Multimedia; L - Law; La - Latin; LR - Leisure & Recreation; M - Maths; Man - Manufacturing & Product Design; MD - Maths D and D; ME - Mechanical & Electronic Engineering; MFM - Maths for Further Maths; MM - Maths with Mechanics; MS - Maths with Statistics; MSt - Media Studies; MT - Music Technology; Mu - Music; P - Politics; PE - Physical Education; PfA - Performing Arts; PfS - Performance Studies; Ph - Physics; Phi - Philosophy; Phot - Photography; Po - Polish; Ps - Psychology; Pun - Punjabi; PuS - Public Services; R - Russian; RE - Religious Education; RS - Religious Studies; S - Spanish; SB - Social Biology; Sc - Science; ScPU - Science for Public Understanding; SHD - Society, Health & Development; SiS - Science in Society; So - Sociology; Sp - Sport; SS - Sport Studies; St - Statistics; Tex - Textiles; TS - Theatre Studies; TT - Travel & Tourism; U - Urdu; UM - Use of Maths. Please note: * stands for an AS-level rather than a full A- level. The symbol # stands for an extended project, which is the equivalent of an AS-level. Some of the above subjects were taken as BTECs or advanced diplomas and count for multiple grades. Students flying high with record results STUDENTS across South Cheshire have been celebrating record A-level results after the number of top grades shot up by two per cent. More than a quarter of students in Cheshire East Council's area have achieved A*s or A grades. And 54 per cent of all A-levels have been achieved at B or above. At Congleton High School, Emily Heades scored A*s in product design, art, and geography. She also gained an A in biology and will now be studying at Keele University, More than seven out of 10 grades at the school have been A* to Cs, with a 100 per cent pass rate. At Sandbach School, 27.4 per cent of students' grades have been A*s or As. At South Cheshire College, highfliers include Aine McTiernan, Harriet Edmonds and John Wallace, who are off to Oxford and Cambridge universities. Harriet, aged 18, from Chesterton, gained an A* in English literature and As in geography and psychology. She said: "I'm so pleased and I can't wait to go to Cambridge." At Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, more than a quarter of A-levels have been A*s or As. Nationally, 8.2 per cent of all Alevel entries have been awarded an A* and 27 per cent have been graded A or above. (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |