There have been celebrations across East Lancashire today as hundreds of young people picked up their A Level results.
Students at sixth forms and colleges found out how they did in their exams, coming off the back of warnings from Government and other bodies of grade deflation this year to “restore credibility” to grades.
However despite this, many still did exceedingly well, with the North West’s pass rate higher than the national average, and 24 per cent achieving at least one A or A*.
There was a marked drop in the number of students getting the top grades, falling by 10 per cent in the North West as exams returned in place of teacher assessments.
At Blackburn College the pass rate was 99 per cent, with a seven per cent rise in students getting an A* to B.
College principal Fazal Dad said: “We are absolutely delighted our outstanding results have bucked the national trend with our students securing places at some of the UK’s highest ranked universities, which is a testament to the hard work of our students and staff.
"Following the pandemic, our students have sat unaided external exams for the first time. Therefore, their achievements are even more remarkable and reflect the dedication of both students and teachers at the College.
“I would like to congratulate all our students on their hard work and dedication and wish them well in the future as they move onto their university choices, apprenticeships and employment."
At Nelson and Colne College, 89 per cent of students got at least one A* to C grade and has two former West Craven High students – Poppy Hill and Isabella Lord – heading to Oxford University in September.
At Tauheedul Girls’ High School in Blackburn, 95 per cent of students achieved an A* to C, with one in eight results an A*.
Faatimah Omar achieved straight A*s in biology, chemistry and maths.
She said: “I really couldn’t have done this without the help of my teachers. I am proud to be giving back by working at the school during my gap year before studying dentistry at the University of Manchester.”
St Wilfrid’s CE Academy in Blackburn also did well, with head girl Saira Khan leading the way with three A*s which see her take up an apprenticeship with Amazon, while head boy Daniel Eccles heads to Lancaster to study history after getting an A* and two As.
Assistant principal Nathan Ashman said: “We are very proud of all of our Year 13 class of 2023.
“Students have shown focus, determination and resilience throughout their journey at St Wilfrid’s and it is a privilege to celebrate with them today.”
Another big achiever at the school was Samah Ahmed who will study dentistry at Leeds after picking up straight As.
Burnley College saw a 99 per cent pass rate with 85 per cent achieving at least one A* to C, a result the college dubbed “outstanding”.
Accrington St Christopher’s CE High saw strong results, including Lewis Connor from the town who scored three As and is heading to Oxford to study History.
He said: “I will never forget my time at St Christopher’s, and I am so happy and thankful to everyone who made this journey possible.”
Meanwhile Alice Burrows, from Burnley, scored an A* and two As and said her time at St Christopher’s was “incredible”.
Headteacher Richard Jones added: “Our students deserve all the praise and acclaim that they will receive, and I wish them well, they are a wonderful group of well-rounded young people.”
At Westholme School, former head boy Tanveer Ali had double reason to celebrate, picking up an A and two Bs on his birthday, which will see him take up a degree apprenticeship at the BBC. He said he was “really pleased” with his grades.
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School saw great results, with a third of results being A or A*.
Callum Walsh leaves to study engineering at Cambridge after scoring straight A*s and said he was “overjoyed” with his results, while classmate Ruby Leys heads to Oxford to study biology after picking up two A*s and an A, and Ali-Hamza Chaudhury is going to Liverpool to study medicine thanks to his straight As.
He said: "I don't come from a wealthy or affluent background, so the value of hard work and gratitude was instilled into me from my parents from a young age."
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy saw 71 per cent of grades coming in at A* to C.
Principal Claire Bailey said: I am thrilled to see how excited and overjoyed our students have been while celebrating their achievements today.
“A big thank you goes to our staff at DACA who have gone above and beyond to ensure we not only achieved brilliant results but that our students feel fully supported and equipped to enter the next stage of their journey.”
One of Accrington Academy's top performers was Daisy Moreton, who achieved an A* in mathematics and two As in biology and chemistry.
She said: “I’m absolutely delighted with my results and couldn’t have done it without the support of my teachers. I can’t wait to study Medicine at St Andrews.”
Next week is the turn of Year 11 to take centre stage as GCSE results are released, with thousands of teenagers across East Lancashire learning how their next steps in further education will pan out.
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