Fierce competition for university places

Hurstpierpoint College headmaster Tim Manley said: “I am particularly pleased that in a year when we are witnessing the most severe competition for university places ever, so many of our students have gained the grades they need to attend their first choice of university.

“It will be interesting to see next year if the steep rise in fees encourages some students to consider going directly from school into training and management schemes run by the best companies in industry and commerce. We have seen no trend in that direction here as yet but I am certain that competition for the best places – whether at university or in business – will remain intense.”

High-flyers from the college included Matthew Austin (pictured) from Hassocks who was awarded A* grades in five subjects and will go up to Wadham College, Oxford to study Physics.