Keighley's A' level round-up

Keighley College A-level student Arshad Hamid has won a place at Aberdeen University to study medicine.

Arshad, pictured, who has spent the past year gaining work experience at Airedale Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary, hopes to specialise in orthopaedics or accident and emergency.

He studied A-level physics and chemistry by day and human biology in the evenings at the college, while also working part-time at a local supermarket. Arshad gained a grade A in physics and a B in chemistry and human biology.

He says: "My time at Keighley College was very productive and the teachers were very helpful, inspiring and supportive. They would never give up on you and I was pushed to the limit, which brought out the best in me.

"The tutors also helped me with the tough university entrance interviews, setting up demanding and realistic mock interviews with teachers and an NHS manager."

Colin Forrest, the college's assistant faculty manager, praises the student.

He says: "Arshad took full advantage of our flexible modular science A-levels and had very high standards from the start. He is a remarkable young man whose ability and hard work have paid dividends. Arshad is a very compassionate and motivated individual who clearly has the potential to be a good doctor, and we are delighted that this has been recognised."

For further information about A-level courses at the college contact the Student Guidance Centre on 01535 618600.

Oakbank: It's the day of reckoning

The weeks of nervous waiting came to an end yesterday at Oakbank as the school's sixth formers joined thousands of other 18-year-olds around the country when they got their A level results.

The 70 students collecting either A level or GNVQ, results made their way to the Oakworth Road school to open the envelopes containing their all-important grades.

Top of the pile were star students Philip Shorten and Terri Jacques. Philip, who gained four A levels, was thrilled with his results, which have secured him a place at university in the autumn.

"I got an A in chemistry, a B in biology, an A in geography and an A in general studies. I'm really pleased. I'm probably going to end up getting drunk somewhere tonight," says Philip.

Philip's hard work has been rewarded with a place at prestigious Warwick University, where he intends to study virology.

Matching Philip's results grade for grade was Terri.

"I got As in media, history and English and a B in French. I'm really, really please because I never expected to get that. I thought I had a really bad mark in history so I didn't expect to get an A," she says.

Terri says she plans to celebrate in much the same way as many of her fellow students with a few drinks, but said she was having a celebratory lunch with her parents.

"I'm off to Newcastle University in October to study French and Spanish," adds Terri.

Student Kai Heath also managed to secure himself a place at university. Kai says: "I got Cs in physics and computing and an E in Maths, which is what I needed. I'm going to do computing next year at Leeds Metropolitan University."

Oakbank's set of results has improved on last year's with an overall pass rate of 91 per cent. The average points score and average grade per student has also increased since 1999.

Greenhead: Students' reaction is mix of delight and despair

Greenhead School's A level students waited nervously for their envelopes to be handed out yesterday morning before discovering their all important grades.

The ear-to-ear smiles or the disappointed expressions on the faces of the students clearly showed the contents of the innocuous brown envelopes.

One group of girls who had done well could not contain their excitement.

"It's fantastic, better than I ever expected," says Shurzan Miah.

Shurzan, who intends to take a year out and do some travelling, achieved a B in sociology, a B in art and design and a C in English. She says: "I'm a bit disappointed with my art and design because I thought I got an A, but never mind."

Friend Farah Mughal, who is off to study biomedical science at Bradford University, says: "It's brilliant. I passed. I've been expecting Ds and things."

Farah achieved an A in sociology, and Cs in biology and English.

Another girl with a smile all over her face was Samira Ali, who managed to get an A in English and Bs in biology and sociology.

"I'm over the moon," says Samira. "And you can quote me on that.

"I was expecting worse but these are my predicted grades. I'm off to Leeds University now to do law," she says.

Nasira Rabani, who recently did work experience at the Keighley News, also got her results yesterday.

"I did OK," says Nasira. "I got Bs in sociology and biology and a C in English literature. I wanted to do English at university but I might have to rethink things now. I needed three Bs but I might still be OK. I'm going to have to go through clearing."

Fellow student Matt Walmsley joined in the celebrations when he realised he had achieved sufficient grades to get him to university.

"I got an A in English, a B in sociology and a C in geography," he says. "I'm going to Newcastle University to do combined studies, but I don't have to decide in which subjects until I get there."

South Craven: Celebration time for the successful pupils

The forecourt of South Craven School was animated with hugs, tears and squeals as that life-changing day came round again.

But it was mostly good news for A-level students at the Cross Hills secondary school -- especially for Joanna Smith.

Her three As in English language, psychology and geography and C in general studies have earned her a place at Newcastle to study English.

"I wasn't expecting that. I'm really, really pleased and will definitely be celebrating," she says.

Matthew Driver, of Embsay, is also likely to mark his achievement of As in design technology, general studies and geography and B in business studies.

He says: "I'm pretty pleased -- it's what I needed to do Law at Nottingham."

A psychology degree at Birmingham beckons Jennie Barrows.

She scored three As in general studies, psychology and maths and a B in biology.

"It's higher than I expected," she says.

Laura Kennedy, of Steeton, is also pleasantly surprised.

In art, biology and psychology she got As, and a B in general studies.

She says: "I'm going to do an art foundation course at Craven College. I didn't expect these grades."

James Travers, of Cross Hills, is off to Cambridge to do a primary school teaching course.

He has earned it with As in history and English literature and a C in biology.

"This is what I wanted," he says. "I can't believe I got my history."

Holy Family: Lizzie is heading for Cambridge

The air was fraught with nerves as Holy Family School students faced their futures being guided by a piece of paper.

Some discovered exactly where their early adult lives would be, while others faced panic and uncertainty.

Lizzie Martins, of Highfield Lane, Keighley, knows where she is going -- New Hall College, Cambridge.

Her French, German and general studies As and a B in maths have earned her a place on an Arabic and German degree course.

She says: "I wasn't expecting anything. I just hoped for the best, but I'm really pleased."

Top scoring student Katie Smith, of Oxenhope, could be mixing with the likes of Prince William at St Andrew's University.

She could not have improved on four As in biology, chemistry, French and geography, which have given her a place on a chemistry with French degree course. "I'm overwhelmed but really happy," she says.

Paul Steere is preparing to meet his public on a theatre, film and TV course at St John's College, York.

He scored an A in history, Bs in general studies and English literature and a C in RS.

"I'm shocked," he says.

David Madden's results -- a B in geography, C in general studies and D in history -- have got his career off to a flying start."I'm ecstatic," he says. "I can now do what I want to do. I'm joining the RAF."

David, of Spring Gardens Mount, starts his training in a couple of month's time.