Students across North Yorkshire are celebrating after receiving the A Level grades they need to secure their place at university or enter the world of work.
A Level, B Tec and T Level results were released to thousands of 17 and 18-year-olds across North Yorkshire at 8am today (Thursday, 13 August).
Students and teachers at King James's School in Knaresborough have praised a strong set of results.
More than 50 per cent achieved an A* to B grade and 90 per cent of those who applied have secured their place at university.
Among the high achievers is Matilda Hartwell, who will be studying History at the University of Warwick having attained an A* in English Literature and As in Art and History.
The headteacher at King James's School, Miriam Oakley, said: “Congratulations to our students, these are a fantastic set of results and a real testimony to their hard work.
“We are so proud of you all, and excited about your plans for the future. We look forward to hearing about your continued success.”
Executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Huge congratulations to all the students across North Yorkshire who have received their A Level and equivalent qualification results today. This is a significant achievement, and they should be extremely proud of everything they have accomplished.
“These results reflect the hard work, commitment and resilience shown by our young people throughout their studies. They have opened exciting opportunities for the future, whether that is progressing to university, further education, an apprenticeship, training or employment.
“I would also like to thank our teachers, school leaders, support staff, and families who have played such an important role in helping students achieve their goals. Today’s success is a testament to their dedication and encouragement.
“For those who may not have received the results they were hoping for, I want to reassure them that there are many different pathways to success and a range of support and advice available. Exam results are just one part of a much bigger journey, and there are plenty of opportunities ahead.
“Whatever your next step, I wish all our young people every success and happiness as they move forward into the next stage of their lives.”
Ripon Grammar School students are celebrating a stellar set of A Level results, with eight students scoring four A*s or more.
More than 70 per cent of all grades achieved were at A* to B, and more than 40 per cent at A* or A, with most students securing their first-choice degree courses.
Lottie Whyte, from a farming family in Wensleydale, once struggled to walk into exam rooms due to crippling anxiety. However, after achieving A, A, B in French, Politics and English Literature, she is preparing to begin a degree in French Studies in Paris.
The 17-year-old said: “I am so shocked as I had never fully sat an English exam before. Some days I couldn’t get to lessons at all. I barely made it into my mock exam because I was standing outside the room shaking so much, I didn’t think I’d be able to go in.”
Lottie explained how the school’s sixth form staff and student counsellor helped her understand anxiety wasn’t a personality flaw, and a turning point came when staff suggested she may have ADHD.
She added: “Understanding my ADHD changed everything because I finally understood the root cause of so much of my anxiety. I realised I wasn’t ‘too sensitive’ or simply overthinking things.
“If you’d told me in Year 12 that I’d be planning to study in Paris, I would never have believed you.”
Overall, the school saw its 164 students receive a total of 105 A* grades, winning places on a range of highly competitive university courses.
The headmaster of Ripon Grammar School, Jonathan Webb, said: “We are immensely proud of our students, they have worked exceptionally hard, supported by our dedicated staff and their families.
“These results are a wonderful reward for that commitment and the determination, resilience and hard work they have shown throughout their time at Ripon Grammar School.
“It is particularly pleasing to see students achieving the very highest grades alongside the many different individual successes across the year group.
“We wish them every success as they take their next steps, whether at university or into the world of work.”
The corporate director for children and young people’s services, El Mayhew, has praised the success of students in what marks her first year overseeing A Level results day at North Yorkshire Council.
She said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the thousands of pupils across the county who have picked up their A Level and vocational results today.
“The dedication of teachers, school staff, parents and carers have helped our young people to flourish and ensure they have bright futures ahead.
“Since joining the council, I have visited schools and met with headteachers and have always been impressed with the level of aspiration for pupils and standards of education delivered.
“This ensures that every child receives the skills they need to thrive as they take the next step in their lives.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind all our young people that whatever your results, you should be proud of all your hard work.”
At Settle College Sixth Form, students performed well across a range of subjects. The A* to B grades were above the national average in Photography (75 per cent), Biology (63 per cent), English Language (67 per cent) and Psychology (57 per cent).
More than 75 per cent of the grades achieved in the vocational subjects of Business Studies, IT and Sport were distinction or distinction*.
Head boy Edward Whaley achieved A, B, B in Biology, Geography and Mathematics, and is heading to the University of Liverpool to study Architecture.
He said: “I’m so pleased that all the hard work has paid off and a big thank you to my teachers over the last two years and all those that have had a part to play in my education.”
Cameron Ettenfield, who joined Settle College Sixth Form after completing Key Stage 4 at Skipton Academy, achieved B, B, C in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
He said: “I’m so happy, I have done much better than I could have thought of and I’m now heading to study Chemistry at Newcastle University.”
The headteacher of Settle College Sixth Form, Gareth Whitaker, said: "I am incredibly proud of every student receiving their results today. These achievements represent years of hard work, dedication and perseverance, and each student should take great pride in what they have accomplished.
“I would also like to thank our dedicated staff, parents and carers whose encouragement and support have played such an important role in helping our young people succeed. Today's results are a testament to the strength of our whole school community."
Across the UK, a record number of students have secured a place at their first-choice university, which is a slight increase from last year. In total, 228,990 secured their firm choice and 31,770 got their insurance choice.
If you haven’t received the results you were hoping for today, there are a lot of options and help available to you.
Young people who need advice about the next step in their education, employment, or training are encouraged to find out more from their school, college or careers adviser. More information can also be found on the UCAS website.