Record high for A-level grades as York and North Yorkshire students pick up results
It's after exams were cancelled for the second year
Last updated 27th Aug 2021
Students across York and North Yorkshire collected their A Level exam results this morning (10 August), with the number graded A or higher has risen to an all-time high.
Exams were cancelled for the second year in a row due to coronavirus and were instead given grades determined by teachers, with pupils only assessed on what they have been taught during the pandemic.
Naomi Richardson, student at the Mount School in York, achieved four A*s. She will be going to study English at university in September.
She said: “I am so happy. It has been a crazy two years but I am so grateful for everything.
"The Mount’s all-girl environment creates such a community feel. I think we all just bonded so well and got on. You can feel the camaraderie in the air today as we all celebrate together!”
Daniel Cooper, student at Selby College, received A*’s all around in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Daniel is going on to study Chemistry at the University of York and hopes to pursue a career in the Industrial Chemistry industry.
He said: "I’ve had a great time at Selby College and have enjoyed every moment! My tutors were always on hand to support me, whilst also giving me the space to be an independent learner."
In total, more than two in five (44.8%) of UK entries were awarded an A or A* grade this summer, up by 6.3 percentage points on last year when 38.5% achieved the top grades.
In 2019, when exams were last run before the pandemic, just 25.5% of entries achieved an A or above.
Overall, the proportion of entries awarded the top A* grade this year has surged to 19.1%, compared with 14.3% in 2020 and 7.8% in 2019.
Harvey Evans is a student at Boroughbridge High School. He secured A*AA and is going to Manchester to study medicine.
He said: "I'm over the moon. It's been a massive relief because this year has been really tough so this feel like a good reward.
"I didn't sleep last night at all. I was awake from about five this morning just because of the stress levels.
"I'm just so excited to get to Manchester."
Girls performed better than boys at the top grades, and female maths students overtook boys for the first time in the number of A* grades achieved, figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland show.
On Tuesday, Ucas said a record number of students have secured a place on their first-choice university course following the bumper year for results.
But youngsters who missed out on the grades required to meet their offers are likely to face greater competition for a place at top institutions as there could be fewer courses on offer in clearing.