With some schools' results to be confirmed, projections are that the Cheshire pass rate will be above 97.2 per cent.

More than one fifth of Cheshire entries achieved an A grade. The percentage of A and B grades stands at 46.5 per cent.

Provisional figures for all qualifications taken show that Cheshire students achieved an average points score of 715, a significant rise on the 676 recorded on results day last year.

County council Children's Services executive member, Cllr David Rowlands, said: "Each year it becomes harder to improve on the previous year's results, yet it appears Cheshire's young people have once again maintained this excellent record.

"They can be justifiably proud of their success. My warmest congratulations go to them all and I wish them luck in their chosen university or career path."

Cllr Rowlands added: "This is of course the last set of A and AS level results to be completed entirely under the education authority of Cheshire County Council.

"These results complete many years of first class achievement as one the country's leading education authorities.

"Students, teaching staff and parents in Cheshire have much to be proud of."

John Murray, headteacher of The Catholic High School in Chester, said: "I am sure there will be some so-called experts who will claim the A-levels aren't what they used to be, but I believe these students have had to work harder than any other generation to achieve these grades.

"They have had to take at least six separate examinations to secure each A-level, and for a student to get top grades requires a remarkable level of consistency."

Hundreds of A-level students in and around Chester were congratulated by the city's MP.

Speaking yesterday, Christine Russell said: "Today is a day of great joy for most of the pupils around Chester and the fruits of their labours can now be reaped.

"Many of the students will be off to university and, indeed, the record number of young people going into higher education is most encouraging."


- IT WAS a double celebration for twins receiving straight As in their A-level results.

Sam and Jake Caleb, from Christleton High School, managed to secure 10 A grades between them.

Sam, who gained five A grades has been recognised nationally for his performance achieving one of the top five marks nationally out of 8,000 candidates.

Sam has a place to read English language and literature at Oxford University.

Twin Jake, who also achieved five A grades, will study a foundation degree at Chelsea School of Art.

More than 120 students received A-level results at the school and more than a quarter of grades achieved were A grade.

Twelve students achieved four or more A grades, and five students gained five A grades.

Students who bagged the top grade included Laura McKay, who will study genetics at the University of Leeds, Owen Roach who will study biology at Bristol University and George Morgan who will study mechanical engineering at the University of Sheffield.


- EXAMINATION board AQA has singled out two Upton High School students for scoring one of the top five marks in the country – Matthew Pook in environmental science and Hannah Walmsley in psychology.

Record-breaking A-level results this year have seen 18 students gain straight A grades and five students gain places at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

The overall pass rate was 98 per cent, as last year, but there has been a significant improvement in grades A/B with 65 per cent of entries gaining the top grades, an improvement of 13 points on last year.

Gaining straight A grades were: Joe Allen, Ashleigh Beckett, Laura Bennett, Jennifer Crane, Natasha Dickson, Harriet Evans, Zoe Hill, Sophie Hindley, Rachael Jackson, Kieran Jones, Philippa Loyley, Matthew Pook, Leanne Roberts, Toby Rowe, Rosie Shorrocks, Shaun Sims, William Tane and Hannah Walmsley.

Heading for Oxford or Cambridge are William Tane, Joe Allen, Rosie Shorrocks, Natasha Dixon and Jennifer Crane.

Philip Sibson, one of last year's cohort, has also gained a place at Oxford for this year.

Retiring head of Sixth Form, Paul Collinson, said: "They're incredible, a very impressive set of results and well-deserved success for hard-working students who were a pleasure to manage."

Headteacher Jane Holland was delighted with the results and paid tribute to the hard work and commitment of students and staff and, not least, to the considerable support given by parents.


- SIXTH formers at Queen's Park High School collected an excellent set of A-level results.

The Handbridge school has a strong track record at A-level. And the class of 2008 has even out-performed last year's students by gaining a higher average points score.

Exceptional results were achieved by a number of students including Michael Randles who gained four A grades in maths, biology, chemistry and physics. He has secured a place to read biochemistry at Bristol University.

Robert Williams also gained four A grades in chemistry, physics, maths and further maths as well as grades A in biology and general studies at AS level. He is now going to study physics at Oxford University.

Rosie Hawkins also performed well gaining three grade As in art, drama and English literature as well as a Grade B in history. She will now study law at Leeds University.

Cally Youdell applied herself to her studies achieving top grades in drama, English literature, textiles and music.

She has gained a place at the Royal Northern College of Music for autumn 2009. Meanwhile she is spending a year as a chorister at Dublin Cathedral.

Kathleen Jackson gained one of the top five marks in art and design and April Owens who scored in the top five in photography.

April also collected a fine set of results in the subjects which reflect the school's Arts College status, achieving A grades in art and design, photography and textiles. She is planning on taking a gap year in which to work and travel before continuing her studies.

Lucy Jones also did well scoring in the top five in both photography and textiles.


- STAFF of the Catholic High School in Chester have reported an improvement in the number of students gaining the top A level grades this year.

Once again, the overall pass rate was 98 per cent, with the proportion of A and B grades at just under 50 per cent, and three quarters of all grades were at A-C.

Two students achieving straight As were Lucy Black, who is going on to study chemistry at Bristol University, and Tom Waite who will read civil engineering at Manchester University.

Five more students, James Dee, Stephanie Owen, Christopher Perry, Helen Morris and Canice O'Mahony, secured two As and a B.

Headteacher John Murray said: "It is fantastic to see so many young adults moving on to the university of their choice. They can all feel very proud of their achievements."


- STUDENTS and teachers at The Queen's School, Chester, are celebrating another set of excellent A-level results.

With an overall pass rate of 100 per cent, more than 80 per cent of all papers were awarded grades A or B.

Headmistress Catherine Buckley said: "I congratulate the girls on achieving such superb results. I am delighted for them."


- HIGH achieving students at West Cheshire College are celebrating after gaining a 100 per cent achievement rate in vocational Level 3 qualifications for the second year running.

Level 3 exams – which include BTEC National Diplomas – provide students with a route into university, study at other institutions or into employment in their chosen field.

Principal Sara Mogel said: "These results are a credit to our students and teaching staff who have worked so hard and their efforts have paid off. Each year more and more students are opting for alternative vocational routes into their futures and the majority of this year's successful students are going on to university or other further study or have secured advanced apprenticeships or jobs.


- TWO students from the Chester area who studied at Sir John Deane's College, Northwich, both did well in their A-levels.

Matthew Mellor, of Rowton, attained four grade As in art, English literature, geography and general studies and is going to Glasgow University to study English literature and history of art.

He said: "I've really enjoyed my time at the college, I've met some really good friends and got some good grades."

Former Tarporley High School pupil Finlay Carson, from Kelsall, also achieved four A grades, in geography, maths, economics and general studies. He is off to Cambridge to study economics.


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