A MARKED increase in A-level achievements over the last four years has resulted in Carmel College being named top Catholic Sixth Form College in the country, according to National League Tables published this week.

The college, on Prescot Road, St Helens, has seen a steady improvement in average pass results ranging from 14.8 points per candidate in 1994, up to the present figures of 21.1 points. Each Grade A result is worth a total of 10 points which shows that students are gaining an average of at least two Grade A results.

As a result, Carmel has been boosted to the sixth most-improved school/college in the country and the third in the North West.

Peter Rushton, the college principal said: "This is a great tribute to the excellent staff and the hard-working students, who enjoy their learning experience at Carmel."

The college enrols around 400 students every year and according to Peter more than 85 per cent go on to university. He added: "We have an extensive sports programme - we are national champions in rugby - and we also stage annual music and drama productions."

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