Staff and students at Uxbridge College are celebrating their best ever year of GCSE results in 2013.

Highlights include: • A significant improvement in high grade, A*-C, pass rates compared to a downward national trend - overall 66.4% high grades A*-C (up from 52% last year), and 18.4% above the national average for further education colleges.

• 100% pass rate at A*-G • Strong pass rates in sciences and maths including 84% A*-C in physics, 83% A*-C for maths, 77% A*-C for chemistry • Media A*-C pass rate of 89%, ICT A*-C pass rate of 87% Individual stories include: • A student who started her GCSEs at the age of 15 and achieved an AS level alongside them celebrating one of the top performances. Svitlana Lubko, 16, from Hayes, got A* grades in her GCSE chemistry, physics and maths, an A in biology and a B grade in English. She now plans to enrol for A levels at Uxbridge College.

• Queenie Villarente, 17, who achieved A grades in ICT, chemistry and biology, and is expecting to stay on and study A levels.

• Mohamed Sharif, 19, achieved A grades in maths, chemistry and ICT, a B in biology, and a C in English. Mohamed, of Hayes, is now due to study A levels at Uxbridge College.

• Mohammed Kochai, 17, from Hayes, is now going on to do A levels after coming to Uxbridge College to re-take GCSEs. He achieved a grade A in maths, grade Bs in maths and chemistry, and a grade C in English Literature. He now plans to study A levels in physics, chemistry and maths.

• Alizera Azimikalkhorani, 19, of High Wycombe, achieved A* grades in physics and maths, As in biology and chemistry, and a C in English. He plans to stay on at Uxbridge College and do A levels.

• Matthew Ridley, 24, achieved A* in ICT and A grades in chemistry, physics, and maths. He also got a B in English and plans to come back and study A levels in maths and science.

Ray Ferris, Director of 14-19 Strategy, at Uxbridge College, based in Park Road, Uxbridge, said: "I would like to congratulate all our students and staff who have worked so hard again this year. Our high grade (A*-C) pass rates are our best ever, against a downward trend nationally. Our students take their GCSEs in one year, instead of two, and this means these results are even more impressive. Once again we have also had some excellent individual performers.

“It has been another strong year for science and maths in particular. These subjects are very important for economic growth and leading the way in technological development.

“Uxbridge College is one of only a few further education colleges offering GCSEs. These qualifications are well understood and respected by employers and educational establishments and they open doors to a wide range of options including A levels, vocational study and the world of skilled work.”