A-level results: One in four get highest grades - PICTURES and VIDEO

The anxious wait was over for thousands of students across the Black Country and Staffordshire today as they collected their A-level results.

It was the moment they had all been waiting for as they found out if they had secured the grades they wanted for their future plans.

Wolverhampton

Sixth Form students from Wolverhampton’s Highfields School are celebrating another positive set of A-Level results - with almost half achieving top A*-B grades and more than 100 securing their places at university.

Students achieved a 99 per cent pass rate - 77 per cent of them being A*-C grades and 48 per cent achieving A*-B grades.

Mr K Blower, Head of Sixth Form, said: “It has been another good year for AS and A-Level results. Overall, we had a 99 per cent pass rate and there were some fantastic individual results.

"More than 100 students are now expected to move on to university after securing the grades they required. The vast majority have secured their first-choice university, which is a fantastic achievement.

“They have worked extremely hard and I wish them all the very best of luck as they go on to the next stage of their lives."

At Tettenhall College pupils were celebrating with 27 per cent of grades at A* and A, and over half of the grades being A*to B.

The pass rate was 97 per cent. These academic results bring to an end an impressive year at the school which has recently made a substantial investment in its sixth form facilities.

Marketing and Communications Officer Ed Potts said: "We congratulate all our candidates who have achieved such a strong set of results, which reflect the hard work that they have put into their studies alongside their superb contribution to the wider life of the school."

Pupils were also collection results at The King's CE School. Deputy head Phil Sutton said: "Congratulations to our A-level students who have achieved some excellent results this year."

Wolverhampton Girls' High School congratulated its students after outstanding A Level results. The pass rate was 100 per cent A* E with an impressive 76 per cent of entries at A*-B and a 48 per cent of entries at grades A/A*.

It total, 27 students achieved A*s and A grades in all their subjects, with six of those achieving an A* in every subject.

Two of our students, achieved a fabulous 4A* grades, Elisabeth Jones and Nadia Singh, both of whom are going to Cambridge to read Natural Sciences.

Headteacher, Trudi Young, said: “This year’s A Level results are superb and the culmination of two years’ hard work and dedication by the students."

A-Level students from The Royal School, in Wolverhampton, achieved their first choice universities.

Twenty one percent of A Level grades gained are at A*/A with particularly excellent results in STEM subjects.

Johann Siewers will be studying Chemistry at York as a result of his three A*s in physics, chemistry and mathematics, and an A in German.

Amaan Yasin achieved two A*’s in biology and chemistry, A in maths and an A* in EPQ (the research based Extended Project Qualification).

Principal Mark Heywood said: "This is excellent news for the pupils, particularly at the highest end. We are extremely proud of our students, who have together with a talented and committed staff achieved excellent examination results and leave us as truly well-rounded individuals.”

Staff from Ormiston New Academy, in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, wanted to congratulate all their Sixth Form students on their A Level and vocational results.

Stand-out results included Alan Ling who secured a B in A Level Applied ICT, C in A Level Psychology and a Distinction in BTEC Business.

Tara Malone achieved a B in A Level Art and a Distinction/Merit in BTEC Health and Social Care. And Natasha Gilford secured a place to study History and Politics at the University of Wolverhampton after achieving 3 grade Cs in A Level English Literature, History and Religious Studies.

Principal, Paul Farr said: “I would like to congratulate all our sixth form students on their results and we wish them well as they progress onto the next phase of their education or into the world of work.”

It was a day of success for St Edmund’s Catholic Academy in Wolverhampton as almost half of all students achieved at least one A* or A grade.

Star student Kyra Martin-Chambers, from Wolverhampton, had battled with Sickle-Cell Anaemia during her studies.

The 18-year-old dealt with her symptoms during sixth form - even having to do course work from New Cross Hospital whilst undergoing treatment.

But now, thanks to achieving a Distinction * in law, Merit in health and social care and a D in sociology, the teenager will now be studying adult nursing at Coventry University.

She said: "I thought I had got the minimum I needed to get in. I'm just overjoyed because it has been really hard over the last two year"

Other success stories from the academy came from Jakub Kolasa, 18, who achieved two A* grades in maths and further maths, and an A in physics.

Principal Maggie Hughes said she was 'delighted' to see the persistence and determination of students and staff.

Dudley and Wyre Forest

At Bishop Milner Catholic College there was an increase of eight per cent in students achieving A*- A and A*- B grades at A-level.

High flyers were Simron Kaur and Saima Kauser who each gained four A grades and will be progressing to top institutions to study medicine, and Hassan Hussain who achieved the equivalent of one A* and two A grades.

Principal Richard May said: “Following much hard work over the last two years, the governors and staff of Bishop Milner Catholic College would like to congratulate all of our Sixth Form students on their well-deserved examination results. We wish them every happiness and further success for the future."

Pupils of Ellowes Hall Sports College were left jumping for joy after opening their envelopes and securing places at universities across the country.

It was an especially successful day for star pupil Olivia Saunders, from Lower Gornal, who marked herself as the first Ellowes Hall pupil to ever achieve two A* grades.

Olivia, 18, said: "It feels amazing. I did not expect it at all because I was not predicated grades that high."

Another student, Charlotte Collins, helped continue the college's success streak after achieving an A* in English literature, an A in sociology and a C in psychology.

The 18-year-old had to overcome a battle with Scoliosis whilst undergoing her GCSEs – but was determined it wouldn't stop her from applying for A-Levels and achieving the best result possible.

Headteacher at Ellowes Hall, Alan Jasper, said he was 'over the moon' with the results, with almost 50 per cent of entries at A2 or equivalent awarded grades A* or A.

Halesowen College congratulated its students on outstanding exam results. The college is marking its most successful year with an A Level pass rate of 99 per cent.

Prinicipal David Williams, said “We are once again absolutely delighted with the results. I would like to congratulate each and every student who has worked hard to achieve their very best and thank the staff who have expertly supported our learners to success. I look forward to welcoming our new students this September."

Dudley College's Dudley Sixth students excelled in their A Level studies, with an overall pass rate of 98 per cent, which is above the national average and shows a consistent picture with last year’s results.

This year also saw a five per cent increase on 2017 of the number of entries obtaining high grades (A*-C).

A 100 per cent pass rate was achieved in 27 of the 36 subjects on offer at Dudley College of Technology with subjects such as: Law, Biology, Communications and Culture, Accounting and Economics achieving a huge number of high grades.

Principal Neil Thomas, joined the celebrations along with students and staff from the College’s Sixth form.

He said: “It always makes me proud when I see Dudley Sixth students achieving so much – we have seen a real increase in the number of learners achieving high grades which is especially pleasing as our students are now facing the new highly challenging linear examinations.

But the real success is seeing our students taking up University places across the country or choosing to stay here in Dudley to pursue their dreams of higher education.”

All Year 13 students from Kidderminster's Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Centre secured university places or chosen work placements.

Holy Trinity's pass rate was 97 per cent, with 27 per cent gaining A* and A grades and 41 per cent A* to B.

Amongst this year's highest achievers were twin sisters Eleanor and Rhianna Hinton who secured top grades across the board.

Eleanor will now go on to study biomedical science at Worcester University achieved top grades in biology, psychology and PE and sister Rhianna, who will take fashion design at Falmouth University, also achieved top grades in textiles, English literature and geography.

Head of Sixth Form, Dr Melanie Hinton, said: "With many more A level subjects undergoing reform and the amount of coursework much reduced compared to the older style, more modular A and AS levels, these new qualifications have provided a much more rigorous set of assessment criteria.

"It is all down to the hard work, dedication and support shown by our staff and our small, tutorial-style teaching groups that has enabled our students to achieve such a pleasing set of A level grades.

"In a competitive, ever-changing playing field, they should be proud of their achievements and we wish them every success for their future."

Top performers at King Charles I School in Kidderminster included Nathan Emerson, Caitlin Gray, Yaseen Hamid, Matilda Harper, Connor Kelly, Fiona Martin, Daniel Nash, Bartlomiej Sowka and Sophie Webb.

Headteacher Stephen Brownlow said, “I am delighted for the students. These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students and staff. Over the last year it has been a pleasure to see students and staff working together to produce this tremendous achievement.

The students deserve credit on their studies and the staff tremendous credit for their professionalism, skill and dedication. We are pleased to see so many students securing apprenticeships or places at university. I am very proud and particularly as most qualifications are new with more challenging content and a different assessment regime.”

Sandwell

Fifteen-per-cent of candidates at Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath secured the top A* or A grade and over a third of A-level exams undertaken secured an A* to B.

While 85 per cent of the A-level cohort have achieved three or more A level passes at grades A*-E. This is an improvement on the 2017 student pass rate.

Many students at the academy have secured been accepted to study on prestigious courses at leading universities, with many at Russell Group universities.

Executive principal Andrew Burns said: “This year, 66-per-cent of sixth form students graduating from Forge have opted to progress to university; a six-per-cent increase from last year and a significant increase since we became an academy six years ago.

"This is an encouraging increase and reflective of the increased exposure our students are receiving to higher education opportunities during their time in the sixth form through events such as our annual Higher Education Week and our involvement with The Access Project.

"I'm delighted that Forge students are leaving here as happy, well prepared young people. I wish them all the very best for the future and encourage them to always be the best that they can be."

• Twinning! Sisters prepare for university life as they celebrate A-level success

Students at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, in Oldbury, are celebrating after receiving their A Level results.

Holly Silwood is also off to study at Sheffield University after her fantastic results, gaining a Distinction* in Musical Theatre and a B in Film Studies A Level.

Hamandeep Hayer and Ruqaya Iqbal will also be going to University in September to study Teacher Training and Social Care respectively.

Executive Principal of Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, Marie McMahon said: "We are all so proud of how well our sixth form students have done once again this year. We wish them all the very best in this next, exciting stage of their education or enter the world of work. Well done all.”

Students and staff were celebrating at Shireland Collegiate Academy, in Smethwick. This year the Academy gained a 97 per cent overall pass rate, 24 per cent of A-Level grades at A*-B and 86 per cent of BTEC grades at Merit or higher.

Principal, David Irish, said: “I’m delighted to see so many of our students fulfilling their potential and gaining excellent grades. This is the culmination of two years of hard work and dedication by both staff and students. We wish our students all the best in the future as they leave Shireland to start at university and employment. As the Academy continues to grow in size and reputation, this is testament to the fact that the students’ wellbeing and success is still at the heart of all that we do”.

At Sandwell College there was a 100 per cent pass rate in a record 19 subjects.

Star performers include Tamara Herrington who an A* and two As in geography, biology and politics. She is now going to the University of Durham to study politics.

Katy Forrester got an A* and two As in English language and literature, drama and theatre, and sociology.

She is on her way to Lancaster University to study theatre and English literature.

Kaven Judge is now set to start his higher apprenticeship with KPMG after accomplishing a hat-trick of As in accounting, business and economics.

Director of Central Sixth and Assistant Principal, Dr Matt Lamb, said: “Due to the recent reforms A Levels are now more challenging than ever before, and so it is a tribute to staff and students to have received these excellent results.”

There was a strong increase in top grades at George Salter Academy, in West Bromwich.

Overall, 18 per cent of A levels achieved A* or A – an increase on last year’s figure - while 43 per cent of exams were graded A* to B and more than two thirds achieved A* to C.

Three students got into Birmingham University. Megan Haney narrowly missed out on a conditional place at Cambridge University but instead will study archaeology at Birmingham having achieved three As.

Two other students, Ria Shemar and Elisha Kaila, will be studying medicine at the same university, having achieved two A*s and an A and A*, A and two Bs respectively.

Adrian Price, Principal of George Salter Academy said:“We are delighted with today’s excellent results and would like to congratulate our fantastic students for having achieved so highly.

"The results are testament to their hard work and dedication. I wish all our post 16 students the very best as they enter the next rewarding stage in their lives and would like to take the opportunity to thank all of them for being so brilliant!

"I would also like to thank our brilliant teachers and supportive parents for their contribution to today’s success. Well done everybody.”

Staff at Holly Lodge Science College, in Smethwick, spoke of their pride at their students' results.

Headteacher, Paul Shone, said: “I am delighted at the level of progress made by students with many once again exceeding their expected grades”.

Walsall

At Queen Mary's Grammar School in Walsall there was a pass rate of 99.8 per cent with 29 candidates achieving A* or A grades in all of their subjects.

Headmaster Richard Langton said: “The 2018 cohort have done themselves and the school proud with a great set of results. The students are going on to a whole range of exciting university and work-related opportunities for the next step in their education."

There were celebrations at Aldridge School, Alesha Peace achieved an A* in classics and English literature with an A in history and a place at Oxford University to read classics beckons.

Top student and Head Boy James Moss secured his first choice place to read economics at Warwick University with A* in economics and maths and A in further maths and history.

Sebastian Massey-Cordon and Abbie Evans achieved four As and two Bs between them and have secured places at the University of Birmingham to read geography and Nottingham Trent University to read psychology respectively.

PICTURES: Celebrations from across Walsall

Jordan Peach joined Aldridge School for the sixth form and has made excellent progress achieving a Distinction in art and design, grade A in physics and grade B in maths. Jordan has overcome personal and academic challenges to achieve his dream of going to university to study automotive engineering.

“I am very proud of our students’ successes and grateful to their teachers for all their hard work supporting them. I wish our students all the best for the future whether they are moving on to university, an apprenticeship or employment.” said Headteacher Ian Bryant.

Joseph Leckie Academy’s Sixth Form was celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate in 21 subjects with successes in both vocational as well as A Level courses.

Sufyan Jasat, Michal Marhefka, Muhammed Javed and Zareen Uddin all achieved A grades in mathematics. Samuel Alom did even better with an A* in mathematics, complimented by an A in further mathematics.

Muhammed Javed secured an A* and two As in three subjects including chemistry and mathematics and aspires to study medicine at university, while youth boxer Hamzah Ahmed gained A grades in history and sociology with a B grade in drama.

Celebrations were also under way at Grace Academy Darlaston. Ben Hughes, Lacie Butler and Lewis Harrison were among those receiving their results. Lacie said: "I’m over the moon as I thought I wouldn’t pass. It hasn’t really sunk in yet but I’m excited to go to Birmingham City to so accountancy and finance."

Grace Academy Darlaston principal Carl Salt said: “Again, our hardworking staff and students have proved that hard work and resilience pays off.

"I am pleased to say that many students have been successful in getting onto their preferred University courses to pursue their chosen careers. We wish them well for the future.”

Sixth form students have been celebrating exam success at St Thomas More Catholic School, in Willenhall.

More students have achieved top grades, with the numbers gaining A* to A rising from 9.3 to 16 per cent and the number of students gaining A* to B increasing from 25 to 34 per cent this year.

Staffordshire

Students and staff at St Dominic’s Grammar School in Brewood said they were celebrating 'amazing' success.

Headteacher Peter McNabb said: "Congratulations go to all our students on producing such wonderful results. They are fully deserved after all the hard work and dedication they have put into their studies.

"I must also pay tribute to our staff who work so hard in giving our students the best possible opportunity to gain these results and the parents whose support is integral to their children’s success."

At Stafford Grammar School there was a 100 per cent pass rate with 73 per cent of pupils earning A* to B grades.

While 13 of the 52 candidates achieved all A* and A grades.

Claudia Ballinger and Meera Mahesh were celebrating three A*s while Max Darlington and Tom Horstink achieved two A*s and an A.

Headteacher Michael Darley said: "These results will enable the vast majority of our students to move on to their first choice university.

"Everybody associated with Stafford Grammar School is proud of the achievements of all of our students.

"In many cases the real success stories are where potential D and E grades are turned into B grades through sustained hard work and excellent teaching."

Students and staff at Walton High School are celebrating today after receiving news of the best set of A-level results in the school’s history.

Performance at the higher grades was impressive with 27 per cent of the papers receiving the very top marks of A* or A and the overall pass rate was 99 per cent.

Matt Perrins who achieved 4 A*s; Sofia Wojciuk who achieved 3A*s, Sreejeet Banerjee with 2A*s and 1A, James Cotterill with 2A*s and 1B and Amelie Payet who achieved 1A* and 3As were among those receiving their results.

At Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School Sixth Form 99 per cent of students achieving A* to E grades.

The number of students achieving the highest qualifications rose again with 36 per cent achieving A*-B.

Headteacher Nicky Crookshank said:"The results are tremendous. The students should be extremely proud. We send our congratulations to all of them.”

Paul Silverwood, Principal at Chase Grammar School, said: “We are proud of our Year 13 students and we would like to congratulate them on their fantastic results.

"This success is reflective of their hard work, the devotion and expertise of our teachers and our wonderful, supportive parents.

"In light of these results, our students have already secured places at some of the top universities in the country and we all share their feelings of relief and delight.”

Abbie Sutton, a Year 13 student who started life at Chase Grammar School at the age of eight in the Preparatory School, will be going on to study International Developments at University of Sussex.

Magnus Stephenson, who has been at the school since the age of two, was especially pleased with his results of an A in geography, B in English literature and B in business.

He said: "I am really pleased with my results which has allowed me to go on to study business management at my first choice university; University of Sussex."

Blessed William Howard Catholic High School students were celebrating their excellent exam results today.

The school has seen a significant increase in the overall pass rate and the average A-Level grade has gone up to a grade B, which will place the school’s Sixth Form amongst the highest performing in the whole of the county.

Acting Headteacher, Mrs Louise McKie commented, “We have seen some outstanding academic results this year and a further improvement on last year."

The Hart School Sixth Form in Rugeley is celebrating its A-level results improving for the fifth consecutive year.

Head of Sixth Form, Ben Brennan, said: “There are more Hart School students than ever gaining results at A*- B - with over 50 per cent of students getting the top grades.

“We also have consistently excellent results in the design subjects, with an average grade of a B, and outstanding performance in sociology, where the average grade was an A.

“We’re absolutely delighted that more students than ever will be accepting places at university with over 80 per cent of students eligible to accept their first offer."

Students, parents and staff at King Edward VI High School, in Stafford, are celebrating as the results showed a 99 per cent pass rate with nearly all students securing their first choice university placement.

Headteacher, Jason Christey, praised all the students on their success, saying: “Staff and students have worked incredibly hard this year and I am very pleased that their hard work has paid off.

"We have always believed that our holistic and supportive approach, as well as our high standards, have offered our students a fantastic springboard to excellent career opportunities.

"The Sixth Form’s “consistently strong” teaching was rightly recognised by Ofsted only recently, as well as the students’ hard work and dedication.

"The staff, parents and I are very proud of all of the students’ achievements and we wish them well as they head off to very bright futures.”

Kingsmead School pupils joined the celebrations by securing top grades.

Dylan Ottery, 18, Hednesford, achieved an A* in maths, A in further maths, and B in business. He is going to Loughborough University to study economics and management.

He said: "I am a bit of a perfectionist I thought I would do better and I missed out on my first choice of university but I am still happy with my results.

"The past two years have been stressful. My whole schedules has been eat, sleep, revise and repeat.

"People say it is hard work and you do not realise how hard until you get here. If you want to go to university, you have to be prepared though."

Celebrations were also well under way at Kingsmead School, in Hednesford, today.

Jay Boora, 18, achieved a B in maths, B in business, and Distinction in sport, and said: "I am chuffed with my results. I told my family and they are proud of me."

And Phoebe Woolley, 17, from Hednesford, got Distinction in health and social, media and business.

School headteacher Maria Mincher said: “We asked so much of our students this year in terms of our expectations and we were delighted at how well they responded."

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A-level results: The national picture

Youngsters who are still seeking university places are likely to face a wealth of choice as institutions scramble to attract good candidates on to their degree courses.

University leaders suggested that there could be more people who are using clearing this year to apply to university for the first time.

A Press Association snapshot survey suggests that the day before results were due to be released, more than 26,000 courses were available in clearing for students in England only.

More than half a million students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving A-level results today.

Last year, 26.3% of A-levels scored an A or A*, national figures showed.

WATCH: Key results day questions answered

The results are likely to be broadly similar again this year.

There have been major changes to A-levels in England, with a move away from coursework and modular exams throughout the course.

• MORE: Your key clearing questions answered

Last year the first grades were awarded in the first 13 subjects to be reformed in England and, among these subjects alone, the proportion of entries scoring at least an A grade fell by 0.7 percentage points to 24.3 per cent.

A further 11 subjects have been reformed with the first grades awarded today.