THERE was joy at schools in Royston and Buntingford today (Thursday) as A-level students picked up their exam results. But with more than one in four UK A-level entries awarded the top A grade, critics say exams are getting easier. Students at Freman Coll

THERE was joy at schools in Royston and Buntingford today (Thursday) as A-level students picked up their exam results.

But with more than one in four UK A-level entries awarded the top A grade, critics say exams are getting easier.

Students at Freman College in Buntingford celebrated record results with a 100 per cent pass rate and several students scoring straight As in all of their subjects.

Rebecca John was one of the top scoring students who with her A grade in art was one of the top five pupils for the subject in the country.

She said: "I'm really pleased with my results.

"I'm going on to study law at Durham University."

Rebecca also achieved A grades in biology, English, geography and general studies.

Ellie Hibberd, who achieved A grades in drama, music, religious studies and general studies, will be studying music after a gap year.

She said: "I don't think the exams are getting easier.

"There are more study resources available such as revision guides and the teachers are very good."

William Seviour was also a top scorer with A grades in chemistry, maths, further maths and physics, and will be reading natural sciences at Cambridge University.

At The Meridian School in Royston, pass rates increased by 2 per cent with 33 per cent of grades of A and Bs.

Emily Law gained five As in biology, chemistry, physics, maths and further maths and will be studying medicine at London Imperial College.

She said: "I am pleased with my results, they were better than I expected.

"I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 14 so I am really looking forward to going to university."

Joy Skinner will be studying maths at Nottingham University after gaining As in maths and further maths, a B in Spanish and C grades in French and general studies.

Head teacher, Mike Firth said: "They have been a fantastic group of students to work with and richly deserve their hard-earned results, which are a credit to the support from their parents and the excellent teaching they have received throughout their schooling.