More than a fifth of students, 47 in total, who finished their GCSEs two years ago then joined the Sixth Form at Trinity Academy in Thorne will be taking up places at universities across the country.

The number has soared since five years ago when just 6.9 per cent of students from the area applied for university, compared with 21.6 per cent this year.

And Trinity officials say the improvement is further evidence backing up comments by OfSTED inspectors who last year said the Thorne school had "transformed the life chances and opportunities of its students".

Principal Ian Brew added: "It is our fundamental aim to help each student achieve to their highest level so they leave Trinity with a promising future ahead of them.

"We wish them well in the next exciting stage of their careers."

The overall A level pass rate of 99.1 per cent is two per cent up on last year.

Every student in Year 13 gained at least one A level pass and 62.1 per cent of passes were at grade C or higher.

The individual success stories include top achieving student Thomas Pickersgill who gained As in mathematics, further mathematics and physics, plus a B in chemistry, and will read mathematics at university.

Joshua Taylor achieved As in mathematics and biology and Bs in chemistry and physics; Lauren Watts achieved two As in health and social care (double award), an A in English plus a C in history after starting her A levels at John Leggott College and then returning to Trinity Academy; Trinity's Head Girl Danielle Lancaster and Katherine Tomlinson who both gained AAB grades; and Ashley Heeley, Anna Priestley and Jodie Pugh achieved ABC grades.

Results from Year 12 were also "encouraging" with the Academy's new Head Boy Martin Handley achieving straight As in AS level mathematics, further mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Year 12 student Naomi Green is one of the top ten students in the country in AS applied business (double award) after achieving one of the highest overall marks out of 1,054 candidates nationally.

In a letter to Naomi, Jerry Jarvis, managing director of Edexcel, described her achievement as "tremendous".

Meanwhile, eight Year 12 students achieved 100 per cent marks in one component of their AS level exams – Gemma Forshaw, Leigh Kirsopp and Natalie Saul (sociology), Martin Handley (maths), Amy Milner and Kirsty Tomlinson (English), Sophie Moss (textiles) and Tanya Sullivan (psychology).

Head of Sixth Form Trevor Shay, who has taught in Thorne for 30 years, said: "In the past we have only had about one student per year achieving a grade A pass at A level, perhaps in a good year maybe three grade A passes overall.

"So, for students from Thorne and Moorends to do so well with 15 grade As this year is amazing and just shows what a difference the Academy has made."