A HEADMISTRESS has defended her students achievements in the face of reports of the dumbing down of A-levels. We are proud of our girls results and it is frustrating that each year their hard work and effort is denigrated, said Anne-Marie Hodgkiss

A HEADMISTRESS has defended her students' achievements in the face of reports of the "dumbing down" of A-levels.

"We are proud of our girls' results and it is frustrating that each year their hard work and effort is denigrated," said Anne-Marie Hodgkiss at Princess Helena College, Preston, near Hitchin.

"A-levels have changed significantly over the past 20 years and with the introduction of AS examinations, students have been required to work harder over their two-year course.

"Focusing on exam results alone demeans all that our students are achieving in and out of the classroom."

Her students have a lot to celebrate with over half of the girls sitting A-level exams achieving A and B grades (56 per cent), three quarters of them getting A-C grades and none of them failing to get a pass.

There was particular success in the creative and performing arts.

For the fourth year running, all A-level candidates achieved an A grade in art and design.

Director of studies Keith Miller believes it is particularly pleasing that a high proportion of the students go on to study the creative and performing arts at degree level.