Youngsters across south Essex have been picking up their A-level results today with an incredible amount of students achieving top grades and heading to their chosen universities.
A-level grades received by UK students are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) said the overall pass rate – the proportion of entries graded A* to E – fell by 1.1 percentage points from 99.5 per cent in 2021 to 98.4 per cent this year.
But this is up by 0.8 points from 97.6 per cent in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
And students across south Essex have achieved "phenomenal" grades.
The Billericay Sixth Form
Students at Billericay Sixth Form have obtained a "phenomenal" set of results, outperforming the pre-Covid performance tables by 12 per cent.
Patrick Berry, Headteacher stated: "These results are truly phenomenal and represent the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our wonderful student community and the outstanding support from our dedicated staff body."
Overall, more than 98 per cent of all students gained strong passes as nearly 60 per cent achieved A* to B level.
Sweyne Park Sixth Form
Students at the Sweyne Park Sixth Form in Rayleigh have been celebrating an impressive haul of results, with the vast majority of students securing their first choice university.
Headteacher, Katharine Dines said: "We are incredibly proud of all our students: the resilience they have shown in achieving such strong outcomes is quite remarkable.
"We wish them happiness and every success in the next stage of their lives."
Greensward Academy
Students at Greensward Academy in Hockley have received impressive results today.
A standout individual achievement was Jack Hutchins, 18, from Hockley who got three A*s.
Southend High School for Boys
It has been an impressive year for sixth form students at Southend High School for Boys, with its largest ever entry for A-level.
Almost 700 A-levels were completed with more A* to B grades than the school has ever secured.
Headteacher Robin Bevan said: "These grades provide Sixth Formers from Southend High School for Boys with the very best opportunities for university entrance and for their future careers."
The King John School
Echo reporter Sophie England was down at the Benfleet sixth form today where students were delighted with their results.
Mr Daniel Steel, headteacher at King John School, said: “We are really proud of all our students. This is all about the success of the students.
“As a school we have consistently had high expectations despite the impacts of pandemic and our students are now reaping the rewards of all their hard work.”
Westcliff High School for Boys
Westcliff High School for Boys is celebrating a superb year for A-level results as nine of its students are heading to Oxbridge universities.
A remarkable 83 per cent of all A-level entries at Westcliff High School for Boys were graded A*, A or B.
Beauchamps High School's sixth form
The Wickford school says a "vast majority" of students attained grades which ensured that they could move on to their first choice of university.
Many of the top performers are off to some of the best universities in the country.
A spokesman added: "Congratulations to all of our students who have worked so hard. Their resilience and positivity over the last two years has been an inspiration to everyone and the school wishes them every success for the future."
Shoebury High School
There were happy faces in Shoebury this morning as more than 40 per cent of all A-levels have been graded at a B or above and over 45 per cent of vocational results were graded at a Distinction or above.
USP College
Hundreds of students from USP College, with campuses in Benfleet, Grays and on Canvey, are celebrating passing their A-Levels today, with 95.3 per cent of A-Level students passing.
Principal Dan Pearson said: "These results come on the back of the significant progress we’ve made over the past couple of years, culminating in a positive outcome of Good from the Ofsted inspection last year.
"A big well done to the students who’ve achieved these great results, it’s been a privilege working with them on their learning journey at USP College."
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