THERE was plenty to celebrate at The Sixth Form Bolton, where the A-level pass rate was 99 per cent.

Fifty subjects saw a 100 per cent pass rate, and the college saw a seven per cent rise in higher grade passes and 98 per cent of BTEC National Diploma students achieved higher grade passes ­— with 59 per cent of students achieving higher grades overall.

Principal, Stuart Merrills, said that The Sixth Form Bolton continues to maintain year-on-year impressive outcomes for students.

He said: “Given the huge amount of uncertainty faced by students receiving their results this year I am very pleased with the overall outcomes for students at The Sixth Form Bolton.

“Our students have benefitted hugely from being at a college with a great track record for its student achievements as well the expertise and professionalism of its staff.

“With The Sixth Form having one of the highest national progression rates to Higher Education, the majority of our students will now again move forward to secure their places at universities across the country. Students are progressing to study a broad range of subjects encompassing: sciences, medicine, law, business, music, performing arts, sports and humanities.”

But the college said this year’s process of awarding grades has left some students disadvantaged and that it would be using the appeals process to challenge them.

The college has a “robust” system in place to provide evidence for appeals made.

Mr Merrills said: “Students will be able to use the appeal system to apply for their mock examination grade to be awarded and improve their grades still further.”

Mr Merrills said: “I would personally like to thank the staff at The Sixth Form who worked as a great team, with a huge amount of desire and commitment to see our students do well during this exceedingly difficult year.

“I’m extremely proud of the level of dedication, care and attention they have shown to the Sixth Form and their students.

“This has helped the vast majority of our students secure the grades they deserved.”

The college’s results again outperformed national results and reinforced its position as a nationally high achieving sixth form college.