STUDENTS across East Lancashire have been rejoicing after another successful year of A-Level results.

Schools and colleges boasted year-on-year improvements, with many reporting a 99 per cent pass rate and higher.

And those choosing to move on to further education will be the first intake to face fees of up to £9,000 per year.

Nationally there has been a slight decrease in the number of students gaining top grades for the first time in over two decades.

This year boys outperformed girls with eight per cent achieving A* grades, compared to 7.9 per cent of girls.

Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form celebrated an A-Level pass rate of 100 per cent, with 86.1 per cent of students achieving grades A*-C.

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.”

St Mary’s College in Blackburn hit new heights with an A-Level pass rate of 99 per cent.

The college is one of the largest providers of A-Levels in East Lancashire with 1324 entries.

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 achieve such excellent results.”

Ian Clinton, principal of Blackburn College, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our 99.2 per cent pass rate.

“These results are once again exceptional and exactly what the staff and students deserve.” 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.

Sixth Form Centre principal, Hugh Bramwell, said: “Our students’ dedication and commitment to their education has led to them being amongst the highest achievers in Lancashire.”

And Haslingden High School pupils saw an overall pass rate of 99.7 per cent.

Students at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy rejoiced after a 99.4 per cent pass rate.

The Academy will bring its Sixth Form expertise to support the new Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio School set to open in September 2013.

Headteachers and principals across East Lancashire, including DACA, Westholme School, Haslingden High, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and St Christopher’s High School said the terrific results were a combination of great teaching , students’ hard work and dedication, and support from parents.

Many principals across East Lancashire said students had achieved the grades needed to enable them to go on to study at their first choice university.

Haslingden High School headteacher Mark Jackson said: “Our successes are, once again, the result of a combination of factors.

“The vast majority of our students are off to their first choice university and we wish them all well.”

Ag6, the sixth form of Alder Grange School, Rawtenstall, celebrated its first ever set of A-Level results with 100 per cent of level three students passing one or more A-Level equivalents.

Westholme School, Blackburn, had another outstanding crop of results with an overall pass rate in 23 subjects of 100 per cent.

And nine per cent of all grades were at A*.

Overall the pass rate for QEGS in Blackburn was 98.4 per cent and 62 per cent of students achieved A* to AB grades.

The girls’ pass rate was 100 per cent with 68.8 per cent at A* to B.

Thomas Whitham Sixth Form has received an A-Level pass rate of 97 per cent, with 63 per cent receiving A* to C grades.

Headteacher Stuart Smith said: “Once again we are thrilled with the exceptional gold medal performances of our students.”

And Accrington Academy, which opened two years ago, has built on last year’s success.

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 per cent with students achieving well beyond targets.

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is delighted with the outstanding A-Level exam results.

Eight per cent of results were graded A*, with 63 per cent of all results grades A* to B.

St Christopher’s High School saw a 99 per cent A-level pass rate for its first A-Level results, with 78 per cent of students receiving grades A* to C.

Students at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School have again produced excellent results at A-Level this year with a 97 per cent pass rate, including 56 per cent grades A* to B.