Record year for A-levels

Teenagers achieved record results in their A-levels again this year as the national pass rate soared above 97 per cent for the first time.

The pass rate rose by 0.3 per cent to 97.2 per cent. More than one in four passes were at grade A, but predictions the number of A grades would hit 26 per cent were just wide of the mark.

The number of candidates awarded A was 25.9 per cent, up from 25.3 per cent last year.

Click here to see pictures of students from across the region celebrating.

Examiners furiously denied exams are getting easier, insisting the higher standards are down to harder work of students and teachers.

In a bid to quell the "getting easier" charge, the Joint Council for Qualifications produced figures for the first time showing improvement rates are different across the English regions and for different types of school, with private schools outperforming state schools and colleges.

In the West Midlands, the grade A pass rate has risen by 4.5 per cent since 2002 to 23.4 per cent – 2.5 points below the national average.

That puts the region fifth in the league of nine English regions. Top is the South East with a 29.1 per cent of passes at grade A, and bottom is the North East at 19.8 per cent.

Wolverhampton Grammar School achieved its best-ever A-level results as headteacher Bernard Trafford said goodbye after almost 30 years. The Compton Road school achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, with 80 per cent at A or B – 21 students got all As.

Mr Trafford said: "This year's grades are truly exceptional. It is pleasing to depart on such a high."

There have been big variations in improvements over the last six years depending on school type with independents beating the rest with a 9.1 per cent increase in As. They are followed by state selective schools at 8.3 per cent, further education and sixth form colleges 4.6 per cent; comprehensives 3.9 per cent, and secondary moderns 1.2 per cent.