STUDENTS across East Lancashire are jumping for joy after being part of a record-breaking A-level results day.
Schools and sixth-form colleges in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Clitheroe are celebrating after many posted their best pass rates so far.
The region’s youngsters have bucked the national trend for a second year running after many schools announced that more than 98 per cent of students had got A* to E, which is above the national average.
Many schools, including St Mary’s College in Blackburn, St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington and Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, recorded their best results.
Darwen Academy has announced that 100 per cent of its A-level students passed their exams for the first time in its history, with 26 per cent getting A* to A.
Principal Brenden Loughran said: “We are delighted with the achievements of our sixth-form students and they deserve this reward of excellent exam results for their hard work and determination. Against a background of increasing rigour to A-level courses and examinations, we have more students than ever before gaining the highest grades.”
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn also posted a 100 per cent pass rate — and headteacher Simon Corns praised his hardworking students and staff.
St Mary’s principal Frank Dixon paid tribute to his staff and students after the college got a pass rate of 99.7 per cent.
He said: “Not only are the results the college’s best ever, against a backdrop of government cuts, once again St Mary’s has bucked the trend in other colleges by keeping students and maximising their potential.
“This is a tribute to the diligence and expertise of the staff and a just reward for the determination and effort of our students.”
St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington received a 99 per cent pass rate, with 60 per cent of students getting A* to B.
Headteacher Richard Jones said: “I am delighted with this record-breaking set of A-level results, among our best. Our students deserve all the praise and acclaim that they will receive.”
Blackburn College achieved a 100 per cent pass rate across 20 A-level subjects. And 77 per cent of students at Accrington Academy got A* to C.
Haslingden High School & Sixth Form is also celebrating after seeing 99 per cent of its students get A* to E.
St Wilfrid’s CE Academy bettered its results for the third year in a row, with 99.7 per cent of students passing — up from 98.9 per cent in 2014.
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School equalled its record-breaking 2014, with 68 per cent of students being awarded A* to B and 12 per cent being graded A*.
Westholme in Blackburn said that more than a third of grades were A* to A and almost 70 per cent were A* to B.
Stonyhurst College in the Ribble Valley saw 71 per cent of its students gaining A* to B grades.
Nelson & Colne College Sixth Form received a 100 per cent pass rate for the fourth year in a row.
Alder Grange Sixth Form in Rawtenstall also saw all of its students pass.
And Burnley College received a 99.8 per cent pass rate.
* To see a comprehensive round-up of East Lancashire's A' Level results do not miss our 20 page supplement in tomorrow's Lancashire Telegraph.
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