A LEVELS: Rotherham students celebrate record A level exam results

Students across Rotherham have received their A level examination results  today and overall results show a bumper year with a 99.1 per cent pass rate for the borough, which is an increase in 0.2 per cent on last year. 

This is amid changes, toughening the exams in England, which has seen the overall national pass rate fall to 97.6 per cent, meaning the borough is 1.5 per cent above the national average.

There has been a major shake-up in A-levels in England over the past couple of years with new AS and A-level syllabuses being phased in since 2015.  

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Under the reforms, there has also been a move away from coursework and modules with students assessed on exams at the end of the two years. 

Despite this some schools have had a record breaking year.

Maltby Academy scored the highest pass rate in the borough with 100 per cent of pupils passing their exams. 

They also had 79.3 per cent of pupils achieving an A* to C grade. 

Wath Comprehensive School achieved a 99.9 per cent pass rate, while 39.3 per cent of students achieving A* to A grades.

Swinton’s equivalent pass rate is at 99.2 per cent, an increase of 0.3 per cent from last year's results.

A total of 98.9 per cent of pupils at Wales High School achieved A* to E grades — 1.3 per cent above national figures.

Aston achieved a 99.1 per cent pass rate, with 75.1 per cent achieving A* to C grades.

Dinnington has also seen an increase of 0.4 per cent to an equivalent pass rate of 99 per cent. 

The school also smashed the national average pass rate of pupils achieving grades A* to A, with figures of 33.3% per cent. 

Brinsworth achieved a 99 per cent pass rate — 1.1 per cent above last year —with 67.9 per cent of pupils achieving A* to C grades.   

Wickersley School saw an overall pass rates of 98 per cent, with 75.8 per cent of pupils gaining an A* to C grade.

Cllr Gordon Watson, deputy leader of Rotherham Borough Council and cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “It is great to see so many young students celebrating some fantastic results this year. 

“Rotherham’s young people are really making us very proud.

“Thanks must go to the teachers, staff, governors and families who have helped these young people do so well, but ultimately congratulations must be given to the pupils themselves who have really excelled.

“These results are the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, outstanding teaching and students who are keen to succeed. 

“I wish all pupils well in the next stage in their lives and careers, whether this is to go into the world of work or onto higher education.”