THOUSANDS of eager A-level students in the North-East returned to their schools and colleges to find out their results as many planned to go to university and jobs.
Students from across County Durham, Teesside, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, celebrated their results in what is this year, the country’s only region which saw an increase in the number of A grades achieved at A-level.
The Joint Council for Qualifications, which works with the country’s major qualification providers, said other regions saw a decrease in the number of those achieving A grades, compared to last year.
In the North East, the pass rate of A-level students receiving A* to E grades was also 98.3 percent, slightly higher than in 2018.
QE students Charlotte Robinson, left, Olivia Jobe, Anna King, Tariro Hombarume, Robert Nolan, James Waters, Jill Mitchell, Ben Scullion and Hannah Hunt Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
In Darlington, students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and Carmel College celebrated their successes and university places as they turned out for results day.
One student who was “just about passing her grades” when she lived in Poland, achieved 3 A*s at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.
Wiktoria Mól said: “I came here as my dad lived here and my school work wasn’t really going well in Poland, so I had to try an alternative and tried it out.
“I didn’t expect to do this well because at the time I was just about passing my grades and now I am off to Cambridge to do languages.”
Wiktoria Mól of QE Darlington Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
The college celebrated a 99.5 percent pass rate for its A-level students, with more than 57 percent of students achieving between A* and B.
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College principle Tim Fisher said: "Students have achieved tremendous results this summer, reflecting their talents and endeavour as well as the skill of their teachers in enabling them to succeed.
"They will go on to destinations in Higher Education and work with the knowledge and confidence that they have acquired and I have no doubt that they will continue to excel in their future studies and careers.”
Carmel College's Principal Mike Shorten with Sam Hughes, Katie Rotherham, Rebecca Roberts, Laura Bradby, Johnathan Hopkins, Joseph Sebastine and Eddie Reid
At Carmel College, almost 80 percent of its mathematics students achieved A* to B at A-level, and more than 60 percent of students achieved either an A* or A.
Hopeful engineer, Joseph Sabastine celebrated with his parents Immanuel and Vinitha as he found out he achieved grades needed for a degree-level apprenticeship with Dyson.
Carmel College student Joseph with his parents
Joseph said: “They asked me who had inspired me to want to be an engineer – I suppose saying James Dyson would have been a good answer but I said my parents who are both engineers.”
Another Carmel student, Laura Bradby achieved four A*s and secured a place at Trinity College at Oxford University.
She said: “I’m thrilled with my grades and so excited about going to Oxford. I came to Carmel College for sixth form and it was the best decision ever. The maths department is incredible.”
Carmel College principle Mike Shorten added: "The results are yet again a fine tribute to the hard work and dedication of the students.
"We have always had outstanding results but these are the best results in recent years."
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