THOUSANDS of students in Worcestershire have been celebrating after picking up their A-level results.

Worcestershire County Council said the average grade achieved by A-level pupils in the county had improved, according to initial data gleaned for 23 schools.

Nationally, the number of students achieving a pass – or A* to E grade is 97.6 per cent, the lowest amount since 2010.

However, the council said schools in Worcester had done better than last year and better than the West Midlands figure of 96.9.

Teachers praised students for coping with the new A-level system.

Worcester Sixth Form College said it had scored above the national average pass rate for the 16th year running and its pass rate had improved on last year.

Out of 1,000 A-levels taken at the college, 98.5 per cent were grades A* to E, 75.3 per cent were A* to C and 48.2 per cent were A* to B.

Principal Michael Kitcatt, said: “This is the first year that almost all subjects at A-level have been on the new linear system and our students have done really well.

"Both the pass rate and the percentage of students getting the higher A*-C grades are up on last year’s, whereas nationally both those figures are down.

"I am delighted that the hard work of our students and staff and the particular expertise of our staff in A-levels and 16-19 year old education are reflected in today’s results.”

The A* to E pass rate at Christopher Whitehead Language College fell by three percent from 99 per cent to 96.

Matt Mobberley, head of sixth form at Christopher Whitehead Language College, said the school had given students a chance - rather than remove those unlikely to reach target grades as some others schools do.

He said: “We had students in difficult circumstances and we wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

“Our cohort is small so it does impact on our results. Rather than protect our grades at their current trend we gave them a chance.

“It is about being able to look in the mirror and know you’ve done the right thing.”

At King’s School, 77 per cent of pupils achieved A* to B, almost four per cent more than last year.

The overall pass rate was 98.8 per cent.

Headmaster Matthew Armstrong said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results this year and are so very proud of the achievements of all our students.

"It’s fantastic to see year-on-year improvements, particularly given the challenges presented with the introduction of the new syllabuses this year. There are so many fantastic individual performances contained within these results and I would love to be able to mention them all.”

Head of Sixth Form, Josh Hand added: “It has been a great privilege to work with such a group of talented young students."

At RGS Worcester, every A-level taken was a pass (A* to E) and 89 per cent were A* to C.

Headmaster John Pitt said: “We are delighted that our Upper Sixth students have coped so well with the challenges of a new A-level system.

“They deserve every praise along with their teachers who have responded so well to the reforms and supported the students. "Well done to the students for all that they have achieved. They have been an excellent year group who have done so much at RGS academically and in so many other areas.

“We are so pleased that we can support our students to pursue their interests in such a range of different subject areas."

Tudor Grange Academy Worcester and Droitwich Spa High School did not provide any figures showing how their students had performed.

However, Natalie Waters, headteacher at Droitwich Spa High School said: “Congratulations to our Year 13 students who have today been celebrating following the publication of this year’s A-level results.

“In a year where there is still much uncertainty about the new examinations we are delighted that our students have performed so well and achieved places at their chosen universities.”

A spokeswoman from Tudor Grange Academy Worcester said: “Our students have achieved a fantastic sets of results, and secured amazing destinations.

"We have students moving onto a wide range of options across the world, from Glasgow to Paris, and from veterinary medicine to journalism."

She added: "We are proud of their hard work and their positive impact on the school and local community, and delighted for their success."

Cllr Marcus Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for education and skills said: "It's great news that the county's A-level results have improved on last year. I would like to congratulate all the staff and pupils working and studying hard in our schools.

"We are committed to providing all children and young people access to a high quality education preparing them for the next stage of their lives after they leave school."

The figures for Worcestershire appear to be in line with the 2018 national performance.

In England, A-levels have been moving away from coursework and returning to students being graded on final exams.