Higher numbers of A grades than ever

The proportion of A grades rose by 1.4 per cent this year – the biggest increase of any region in the country.

However, the North-East still lags behind the rest of the country, with only over one in five entries achieving the top grade, compared to more than one in four nationally.

In North Yorkshire, the improvement in A grades was 0.9 per cent.

The overall pass rate in the North-East and North Yorkshire was 97.4 per cent.

Nationally, the pass rate rose for the 26th year in a row, which is expected to increase the scramble for university places, with an expected 22,000 places available in clearing.

Students all over the country have get their A-level results

The results show traditional subjects are still firm favourites for A-level students, with English and maths again the top choices.

There were an extra 7,882 entries for maths this year, and an extra 1,382 entries for further maths, compared to last year.

The statistics also show the tide is turning in science subjects, with an increase in the number of entries for chemistry and physics.

This may be because of a Government push to encourage pupils to take these subjects, as well as a backlash against fears that students have been taking so-called softer subjects such as media studies.

The increase in students taking maths and science was last night welcomed by business leaders in the region.

Sarah Green, regional director of the Confederation of British Industry, said: “Young people need to know that certain subjects, like maths and science, are highly prized by employers. Britain needs more people coming out of school, college and university with maths.”

In Darlington, students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College attained a 99 per cent pass rate, with half achieving A and B grades.

More than 820 students entered more than 2,000 exams.

Among the success stories was Jeni Grey, who achieved five A grades and will go on to study English literature and creative writing in Norwich.

Students with other outstanding results include Jenny Kwa, who attained four A grades, and gained full marks in seven of her maths modules and 99 per cent in her exam overall.

Students at Polam Hall, in Darlington, had a 100 per cent pass rate with 40 per cent of those getting grade A.

Lucy Downes gained five A grades, including a perfect score in her A-level physics.

Lucinda Thompson also gained five As and full marks in geography.

Headteacher Marie Green said: “I am delighted with the success of these conscientious young people and wish them well as they go on to pursue courses in everything from advertising to zoology.”

Carmel College, in Darlington, also had a record-breaking year, with an increase in the pass rate to 99.7 per cent and an increase in the percentage of students achieving higher grades.

Patrick Wharton achieved a full house of A grades.

In the rest of County Durham, the percentage of students scoring A to C grades rose to 69 per cent, while the percentage of exams passed rose to 97 per cent.

At Durham High School for Girls, in Durham City, 50 per cent of exams were awarded A grades, while at Durham School 55 per cent of exams were returned with A or B grades.

Alex Gillham achieved three A grades and plans to study English at Cambridge.

She said: “I am over the moon. It has been lots of hard work over the whole year. I am really looking forward to university.”

In Bishop Auckland, King James I Community College recorded better grades across the board, while St John’s School and Sixth Form Centre achieved a 98 per cent pass rate, 22 per cent of entries at grade A and a record average points score.

Wolsingham School and Community College, in Weardale, County Durham, recorded its highest ever pass rate of 99 per cent, and an increase in A and B grades.

Student Francesca Shaw achieved the school’s first A* grade for an advanced extended project created to challenge bright students.

David Ewart, the headteacher at Barnard Castle School, praised students for “truly spectacular” results – the school’s best – and said: “These talented young people have precisely the skills we need to break out of the current recession and help to build a confident future.”

Teesdale Sixth Form, in Barnard Castle, achieved its best results in three years.

Early figures from North Yorkshire show that the county has had its best A-level results this year.

Success stories include Ripon Grammar School, which achieved a 70 per cent pass at A and B grades and Thirsk School, which achieved a 97 per cent pass rate, with 54 per cent of results at A and B grades.

Richmond School achieved a 98 per cent pass rate, with 53.5 per cent of results at A or B grades, a ten per cent rise on last year.

Northallerton College achieved 51 per cent of results with A or B grades, with a 99 per cent pass rate.

Despite this year’s squeeze on university places, high numbers of the county’s students have gained places at their first choice institutions, including students who applied to Oxford and Cambridge.

County councillor Jim Clark said: “These results demonstrate the very high quality of teaching in our schools. They also demonstrate the determination to raise standards year-on-year and the determination of our students to do the very best that they can. We have a great deal to commend and to celebrate.”

Across Teesside, students were celebrating another year of record-breaking A-level results.

Yarm School recorded a 100 per cent pass rate, with 80 per cent of the results at A and B grades.

Vijay Shyam-Sundar is one of six students who secured places at Oxbridge next year.

He achieved six A grades.

Egglescliffe School also recorded a 100 per cent pass rate.

The star pupil was Katie Dundas, who gained seven A grade passes and will now study medicine at Cambridge.

Prior Pursglove School, in Guisborough, achieved a 98 per cent pass rate, with more A and B grades than ever.

Sarah Warren, 18, gained A grades in maths, further maths, geography, physics and general studies.

The King’s Academy, in Middlesbrough, received its highest marks since it opened in 2003, with 72 per cent of pupils achieving grades A to C.

School renovations fail to affect results

STUDENTS whose school was rebuilt during their final year are celebrating, after scoring top A-level results.

Nearly half of A-levels sat at Durham Johnston School were graded A, with 27 per cent of students scoring three or more A grades.

Six youngsters secured places at Oxford and Cambridge. Jenna Cave, 18, achieved A grades in maths, further maths, chemistry, biology and German, and plans to study medicine in London.

She said: “I worked very hard – I did not really have a life. I did not really mind the building work; it was nice to have a term in the new buildings.”

Fiona Walker, 18, earned A grades in geography, maths, further maths and economics, and will study geography at Oxford, while Katie Slee is also Oxfordbound after achieving three A grades.

The 18-year-old, who will study art history, told The Northern Echo: “I am really pleased and really excited about Oxford.”

Durham Johnston, one of the best state schools in the region, was rebuilt at a cost of £23.8m – the first to benefit from Durham County Council’s £500m Building Schools for the Future programme.

GCSE winner Katie making her mark again

A FORMER GCSE pupil of the year is again celebrating top grades.

Teesside High School for Girls pupil Katie Hall, 18, achieved five As in her Alevels yesterday.

She was named UK GCSE student of the year after she gained 12 A*s in 2007.

She received top grades in history, English literature, economics, Latin and general studies, and plans to study English at Durham University.

Her high grades were matched by fellow student Helen Maxwell, 18, who now plans to study natural sciences at Cambridge.

Sixty-seven per cent of results for students at Teesside High School for Girls, in Eaglescliffe, were A and B grades.

Head of sixth form Sarah Parker said: “We have been thrilled by the performance of all the students who have worked very hard to achieve these grades.”