THE headteacher of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School last night warned students about the dangers of under performing.

Simon Corns, addressing the Blackburn school’s prize-giving night at King George’s Hall, said universities were taking a tougher line on anyone who failed to get their required A-levels.

He said: “There is a lesson here for the current upper sixth: listen to advice, and make sure you are really working to the best of your ability from the outset.

“The implications of under-performing have become very much more serious than they have ever been in the past.”

He added that he was ‘not at all displeased’ to report that the ‘culture of re-sits was under considerable threat’ and also predicted a return to final examination A-levels under the new government, rather than completing modules.

Mr Corns praised the school’s achievements which saw 61.2 per cent of A-level pupils getting A* to B, and 88.9 of GCSE students achieving A* to C.

But he said: “There is no sense in which we can rest on our laurels and, upbeat as I am about our our future, I have no doubt that we must continue to strive for excellence.”

Chairman of the prize-giving was new chairman of governors Jeremy Gorick.

Chief guest was Mumtaz Bashir who is leading the pre-volunteer programme for the 2012 London Olympics.