A-LEVEL results at St George s school in Harpenden had an unusual twist this year when the technology department technician, Deirdre Robinson of Tennyson Road, scooped a top A grade in Food. A technician since 2003, Deirdre works alongside Heidi Brodie the

A-LEVEL results at St George's school in Harpenden had an unusual twist this year when the technology department technician, Deirdre Robinson of Tennyson Road, scooped a top A grade in Food.

A technician since 2003, Deirdre works alongside Heidi Brodie the head of subject, to help children with skills and preparation. Over the last two years she has joined A-level lessons and sat her final papers with the A-level group in June.

A delighted Deirdre said: "I have been privileged to work and learn from one of the best teachers in the country. The students have been wonderful to me and we have enjoyed the interaction that a mature adult brings to the class. It has been great fun, though I had big nerves when the final papers loomed in the early summer. The school has been so supportive and everyone has been really interested in how I have got on. We all got the grades for Food - such is the standard of my department."

Headmaster Norman Hoare commented: "Deirdre is a star. She is so popular and valuable and has proved what we have all believed from the day she started - she is a great asset to the Food department and St George's. She has a lovely sense of humour and such vitality - I am so impressed with her result. It is a huge challenge to sit the exam you are helping pupils prepare for. Deirdre has often done supply cover for us and already taken classes. Her qualification is just one way we encourage staff to achieve highly - its not just about going on courses. Deirdre has done a really interesting thing and we shall mark her achievement at the start of term."

"The whole year group had proved incredibly successful with almost every student gaining their first university choice, many at the top ones. Some departments achieved phenomenal A and B percentages, and Art got 16 of the top grades in the country in Graphic Art and History of Art. Some of more challenged A level students repaid our confidence in them and passed their one or two subjects at A level which was as great and achievement for them as the 30 or more who came through with 4 top grades and the 17 who got Advanced Extension awards, only awarded to the brightest in the land.

The Headmaster of St Albans School, Andrew Grant, has congratulated his outgoing Year 13 pupils on another year of outstanding A-level results.

The average number of A-level passes was four, with an average grade at A level closer to an A than a B. The overall percentage of grades A and B is 87 per cent.

One third of the year group achieved three A grades and among them were Head Boy Adam Wagenfield and Head Girl Jessica Smith, as well as Charles Read, who, with four A grades at A level and another at AS had no trouble in meeting his matriculation offer of two E grades to read History at Christ's College, Cambridge.