LIVE: A-Level results are announced in East Lancashire (From Lancashire Telegraph)

2:21pm

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2:00pm

St Christopher’s, Accrington

St Christopher’s High School celebrated the achievement of it’s first A-Level students.

The school’s pass rate was 99%, including 78% at Grades A* - C.

Alasdair Coates, headmaster, said: “We are delighted at such good A-Level grades, the result of hard work by students and staff. 

“All our students who sought places have secured them at an impressive range of universities, including Cambridge, Durham, Liverpool, Leeds and our partner institution, Lancaster. 

“It is wonderful that Accrington now has St Christopher’s offering a full range of academic subjects, showing in this first year that we can prepare our young people for the best and most appropriate future places of study and work.”

1:59pm

Thomas Whitham Sixth Form, Burnley

A high level pass rate of 97% coupled with 63% A* - C grades augurs well for students moving on into Higher Education or employment.

Headteacher Stuart Smith was full of praise for his students and staff.

He said: “Once again we are thrilled with the exceptional gold medal performances of our students. 

“It is evident that all our students are performing superbly at the gold standard A level as well on the vocational courses. 

“With many of our students heading for prestigious Russell Group universities and very competitive courses we know that all students will be able to realize their potential here at Thomas Whitham Sixth Form.”

1:58pm

St Mary’s College, Blackburn

St Mary’s College has hit new heights with superb A Level and vocational results this year, with a 99 per cent pass rate.

This is particularly impressive because the College is one of the largest providers of A Levels in East Lancashire with 1324 entries.

Thirty subjects gained a perfect 100% pass rate and the vocational diploma pass rate has also remained at 100% with a significant number of those students gaining a distinction which is the equivalent of three grade As at A Level.

Principal Kevin McMahon said: “At a time when higher education and employment opportunities are at their most competitive, it is very pleasing to see the students of SMC achieve - yet again – such excellent results.

“It is a testament to the hard work of teachers and students throughout the year.”

1:56pm

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School

Overall the pass rate for QEGS at A–level was 98.4% and 62% of students achieved A*-AB grades.

The girls’ pass rate was 100% with 68.8% at A*-B confirming once again that co-education works and girls do well at Queen Elizabeth’s.

Headmaster Mr Simon Corns said that he was pleased with the results which confirmed that students for both arts and science subjects achieved strong grades at the school. 

“Able and motivated students still need good teachers and our standards remain very high.h.

“I know that my teaching colleagues will be pleased that their professionalism and encouragement have helped the students to achieve their potential.”

1:55pm

Preston College

Preston College has announced another year of consistently high achievement across the board. 

Its students have achieved exceptional A Level and AS exam results alongside outstanding successes in a multitude of vocational and professional qualifications.

With a pass rate of 99% per cent, the college has maintained the same level of high achievement seen in previous years.

Lis Smith, principal, said: "We are once again extremely proud to be celebrating the successes of all of our students who have shown great enthusiasm, dedication and hard work in their studies.

“We are particularly pleased that many of our students have achieved this success alongside gaining further qualifications that will really help them on their chosen path towards employment and Higher Education.”

1:54pm

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

Students at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy are celebrating yet another record-breaking set of A Level results.

Since 2008, when the Academy re-established a Sixth Form provision based in Darwen, results have improved every year to a new record pass rate of 99.4%.

Academy Principal, Brendan Loughran said: “We are delighted with these results and they are down to the hard work of students, the dedication of the staff and the support of parents.”

He said over 75% of this year group now likely to progress to University.

Mr Loughran added that the Academy would bring its Sixth Form expertise to support the new Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio School set to open in September 2013.

1:54pm

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

EIGHT per cent of students at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School received an A* grade in their A-levels today.

And 63% of all results received the highest grades of A* to B.

Judith Child, headteacher said: “Well done to all our students who have received their A level results today. 

“We are delighted with the outstanding A Level exam results that our students have achieved.  These results truly reflect the hard work and dedication of our students and staff and the tremendous support from parents.

“We wish all our students every success in higher education and with their future careers.”

1:53pm

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Students at BRGS have again produced excellent results at A Level this year.
The pass rate was 97%, with 56 per cent achieving A* to B grades.

48 students achieved the excellent standard of three or more passes at grade A*and A. And 24 students achieved 4 or more A* and A’s.

Alan Porteous, headteacher, said “These excellent results are a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our students and staff.

“There are many outstanding individual achievements and we wish all our students well as they move on to the next stage in their lives.”

1:52pm

Accrington Academy

Accrington Academy launched its A-level programme last year, when its students achieved beyond the national average.

This year’s results build on last year’s results in relation to achievement in both A-level and BTEC areas.

Accrington Academy principal Andrew O’Brien said: “We are extremely proud of all our Accrington Academy Sixth Form students  who have excelled in all areas.

“Building on last year’s success, overall achievement has increased to 98% with students achieving well beyond targets.

“The high grades they have achieved mean that we can wish all the students well as many progress onto further study at their chosen universities.”

1:51pm

Alder Grange

Ag6, the sixth form of Alder Grange School, celebrated its first ever set of A-level results with 100 per cent of Level 3 students passing one or more A-level equivalents, and produced a series of ‘personal bests’ for the students.

The sixth form, which only opened its doors two years ago to an initial intake of 46 students, achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in 14 of the 21 subjects it offers.
David Hampson, who assumes headteacher role in September, said: “This was our first set of results and the students were the pioneers.

“We are delighted with what they have achieved. They are a talented and hardworking group of students who can be very proud of what they have accomplished.”

Ag6 was launched in 2010 with an inclusive ethos, opening its doors wide to students from across Rossendale of all abilities and our focus has been on helping each individual achieve their personal best.

“We’re happy to say that in the vast majority of cases this has undoubtedly been achieved.”

12:58pm

Boys start to catch up with girls

Boys are finally starting to catch up with girls in achieving the very top grade at A-level - but still have a way to go to match their overall success, results published today revealed.

For the first time since the introduction of the A* grade, boys did better than girls.

Out of the total number of male entries, 8% were awarded the A*, compared with 7.9% of girls. The A* grade was brought in two years ago to reward the very brightest students.

However, girls were given more A grades, with 27% of all their entries getting A*-A grades compared with 25.8% given to boys' entries.

The gap between the genders was even more noticeable when looking at A*-B grades, with 54.7% of girls' exams achieving that level and 50.2% of boys' papers.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "A lot has been said about the gender gap and that message has obviously got through. Teachers have focused on boys' achievement."

He said there was more of an emphasis on the jobs market and students were considering that when sitting their A-levels..

Mr Lightman added: "Boys focus on short-term goals and see they need good grades. They will focus on that and that's good.

"It's nice to see that boys and girls are almost neck-and-neck now. We certainly don't want the gaps in achievement."

11:39am

More pictures added to our A-Level gallery .

10:43am

Fall in top A-Level grades

The proportion of A-levels scoring at least an A grade has fallen for the first time in more than 20 years, official figures have showed.

In total, 26.6% of the exams were given an A or A*, down from 27% in 2011 - a record drop of 0.4%.

It is believed to be the biggest fall in the history of A-levels. The last time it dropped was between 1990 and 1991 when it decreased to 11.9% from 12%.

The new figures, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), also show that fewer A-level exams achieved an A* this year. Around one in 12 (7.9%) exams were given the top grade, which is awarded for the third time this summer, down from 8.2% in 2011.

Boys overtook girls at A* grade for the first time, with 8% of boys' entries attaining the top mark, compared to 7.9% of girls'.

The statistics also show that the overall A* to E pass rate has risen for the 30th year.

10:40am

Council advice line

Lancashire County Council has set uop an advice line for studetns who did not get the results they hoped for.

Call 0800 511111 for advice on your next steps.

10:12am

Westholme School

Westholme’s principal, Lillian Croston, is delighted with the school's 100% pass rate in 23 subjects. 

Mrs Croston said:  “These are truly excellent results. Over a quarter of all Westholme students have secured a minimum of three A grades. 

“I am also especially pleased with the increase in our A*/A/B percentage – up by 6 per cent on last year’s performance. 

“This is important, as these are the grades that the top universities seek, and in addition to our girls’ extra-curricular achievements, make them sought-after candidates. 

“Looking at our ALIS predictions which indicate baseline ability, 56 per cent of grades are above expectation and this is a reflection of the excellent teaching and the dedication of the girls themselves. 

“This is what we do so well at Westholme; we really make sure our pupils maximise their potential.  I am sure this group of leavers will go on to challenging courses and first class careers.  Well done everyone!”

10:07am

Burnley College

A-Level students at Burnley College are celebrating a 99.8 per cent pass rate, a record number of A and A* grades and over three quarters achieving top grades.

Advanced Vocational students also celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate and outstanding high grades, including 216 distinction stars and distinctions. 

All of the College’s A-Level students are now in a position to accept places at some of the country’s top universities or progress to challenging careers.

Principal Hugh Bramwell said: “We are passionate about the success of all of our students and are delighted that so many of them secured their futures with us. Overall, this is our best ever year for all of our Advanced Level results and high grade performances.

“Our students’ dedication and commitment to their education has led to them being amongst the highest achievers in Lancashire. The outstanding results we are celebrating today are a credit to the hard work and determination of our students, the support of their parents and a tribute to our highly qualified teaching and support staff.

“The Government recently announced that our students achieve more points per examination entry than at all other schools and colleges in Pennine Lancashire and this has been shown once again today.

“A record number of our students have now secured places at some of the country’s top universities and we wish all of our students every success in their future university studies and employment plans.”

9:54am

Blackburn College

An innovative A-Level achievement guarantee, which earned worldwide acclaim after students were offered students £5,000 cashback if they failed their exams, has proved to be a winner.

Two years ago Blackburn College confidently pledged £5,000 to any students that failed their A-Levels come results day— providing the students were prepared to show ‘real’ commitment...

The college achieved an overall A Level pass rate of 99.2 per cent, an increase on last year’s figures.

Principal Ian Clinton said: “We are absolutely delighted with our 99.2 per cent pass rate – this is an outstanding achievement by all the staff and students in the college Sixth Form.

“I want to congratulate everyone for all their hard work over the past year – these results are once again exceptional and exactly what the staff and students deserve.”

Alongside A-Levels Blackburn College is celebrating record success in its Vocational Qualifications with 38 per cent of students achieving triple distinctions and triple distinctions stars, which are equivalent to  three As at A level.

9:38am

Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form

Staff and students at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form are celebrating as 2012 proves to be another outstanding year, with an A-Level pass rate of 100 per cent.

This year, 86.1% of the college's A-Level students achieved high grades A*-C, and 60.2% have achieved top grades A* - B.

College principal Amanda Melton said: “I am thrilled for all of our students who have worked extremely hard this year and are fully deserving of their excellent success.

“Our students consistently feedback to us how their teachers’ continuous support is a major factor in their success. Nelson and Colne has a proud tradition of academic excellence and I am delighted to see that we will continue to serve the educational needs of the community with such great success.

“It is an exciting time for our students as they now move into university or employment, but I know that they will do so with great skills and increased confidence. They are a credit to East Lancashire.”