A-Level results 2017: Yorkshire students discover how they have fared

Students collect their A level results at Barnsley College. L-R Emily Shaw (1 A and 2 Cs...going to University of Lincoln to study History) and Ellouise Gough (1 A* and 2 As...going to Leeds University to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Picture Scott Merrylees

Figures show that almost a quarter of A-levels were awarded an A* or an A across the region.

And despite major changes to the qualifications, the county saw an increase of 0.1 percentage points, with 23.4 per cent of teenagers awarded the top grade.

The overall pass rate of students receiving A* to E grades was down 0.2 to 97.9 per cent, however this is in line with the national figure.

There were individual success stories being reported across schools and colleges in the state and independent sector yesterday.

Among the top performing students in the region was Harriet Matthews at Mount School, in York, who achieved four A*s and an A and will read Geography at Edinburgh. The student had been instrumental in setting up the George Toplis Foundation, which supports, through sport, young people with autism or mental illness, and their families and carers.

The all-girl Quaker senior school saw almost half of pupils achieving A* to A grades, with 100 per cent of girls achieving an A* grade in art.

At Bootham School, talented musician Guylaine Eckersley was awarded two A*s in Music, History and an A in German. Ms Eckersley is principal bassoon with the Halle Youth Orchestra and has chosen to accept a four-year scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

A-level students at Giggleswick School are celebrating the highest number of A* grades ever this year, together with a 100 per cent pass rate and more Oxbridge success.

Headteacher Mark Turnbull said: “This year, all eyes will be on the impact of the new reformed A-levels. We are all very interested to see how the new specifications have worked through into results.”

Wilberforce Sixth Form College, is celebrating its students’ best exam results in the college’s 30-year history, with an overall pass rate of 98.9 per cent.

And Kiran Sahiba, from Allerton Grange, in Leeds, secured her place at the University of Leeds to study medical biochemistry with her A* and two A grades in biology, chemistry and maths.

She said: “I’m so relieved. It was unpredictable this year, especially with the new A-levels. I’m feeling optimistic about the future now.”

Child Genius

A “genius” 14-year-old has added to his already-impressive CV after sitting his A-levels four years early.

Thomas Firth, a past winner of the TV show Child Genius, already held A* grades in both maths and further maths.

But yesterday, the Horsforth School pupil achieved another astonishing milestone by bagging another two A-levels.

He gained an A in computer science and C in additional further maths.

Headteacher Paul Bell said: “To say that Thomas is only just about to start Year 10 is amazing.

“We are really proud of what he has achieved.”