STUDENTS at one of the country's top performing schools do not take exams early – so they can achieve the highest grades they are capable of.
Caistor Grammar had the 53rd best A-level results in the country – with 79.53 per cent of all grades achieved at levels A*-B – according to a list published by a national newspaper after results last week.
It is also one of the top schools for GCSEs, with 100 per cent of students getting at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths – a benchmark of success used by the Government.
But while the school continues to perform, the national picture shows a drop in top grades this year – and a drop in the overall pass rate for the first time in 25 years.
The Joint Council for Qualifications has put this drop down to the high number of students taking exams early – which it described as a "damaging trend".
Caistor Grammar's headmaster Roger Hale says that students take all but one of their exams at 16 and not before – some able mathematicians take statistics in year 10 to aid with their maths GCSE.
Mr Hale did not directly criticise schools who enter students early for exams – as Caistor Grammar is selective so has the benefit of a very able intake.
However, he believes that his students are able to reach their potential because the school concentrates on their education right up until the end of school.
He said: "We want to give them the maximum chance to get the best grade they possibly can.
"I feel like some schools try to get a grade out of you and after that, they're not interested.
"We may be selective but even with very able students, it really was touch and go for some of our students in their weaker subjects.
"Successful schools are often accused of being exam factories, but for 100 per cent of students to reach the five A*-C benchmark, it takes enormous care and attention to the individual."
But Wendy Marshall, chief executive of the David Ross Education Trust, said there is not a "one size fits all approach" to early entry – it is considered according to "the needs of each individual student".
The trust sponsors academies across the country – including Humberston and Havelock, academies which have both submitted some students for early exams but bucked the national trend, recording better results than last year.
Miss Marshall said: "By taking into account a range of factors, we can help ensure that each young person achieves their potential.
"Some students find early entry a real motivator and provides a more immediate focus for their study.
"Banking some qualifications also builds confidence and spurs students onto further success.
"Some students find taking every subject in their final year too much to cope with, so breaking this down into two sittings really helps them to achieve the grade they deserve."
"We also have a number of students for whom English is a second language. Some show considerable ability in subjects like maths, so allowing them to take that exam early frees up time to develop their command of English. "Equally, we recognise that we have a large number of students who perform better after spending two years developing their knowledge, skills and techniques before taking exams. "So there is no single approach across the Trust. We have almost 5000 secondary students and their needs come first. "Personalised learning is at the heart of the decisions that our academies make, and how exams are handled is just another part of this."USE THIS LINK TO VOTE IN OUR WEBSITE POLL ON THIS ISSUE