THOUSANDS of students across York received their A-level results yesterday as initial figures showed the city looked set to remain among the best in the country.

Education bosses said provisional results for York school sixth forms and York College show that the very high standards of previous years have been maintained, despite this being the first year of the new, tougher exam-focused syllabus.

York school sixth forms - All Saints RC, Archbishop Holgate’s CE, Fulford, Huntington and Joseph Rowntree - and York College are reporting strong results including ‘best ever’ performances.

Early results for the schools show that across the board young people will be able to get to the universities of their choice, including those applying to Oxbridge universities and medical courses. This strong position is being maintained despite the significant changes to the content and structure of A and AS level courses this year.

Cllr Stuart Rawlings, executive member for education said: “A focus on skills and education standards is critical to our city so we can continue to give our young people the best possible opportunities and drive our economic strategy forward. Well done all and good luck for the future.”

The city council's education director, Jon Stonehouse, said: “I would like to congratulate all our young people on their success. These results not only demonstrate the hard work and commitment of our students, but also that of our schools and colleges in helping to deliver excellent results.”

In New Earswick at Joseph Rowntree School head teacher Richard Crane said: “We are absolutely delighted to celebrate the success of our students this summer.

“This year we have seen an increasing number of students with multiple A* grades across the curriculum; including in science, maths, humanities and art and design.

“In the first year of the reformed Linear A-Levels we have initially a pass rate of 99.6 per cent and over half of entries at grades A*-B.”

Students at Bootham School are celebrating successfully navigating the challenging first year of the change to tougher linear A-levels with excellent results.

More than 72 per cent of scores achieved between A* and B grade, and nearly a quarter of students securing at least three A grades. These figures are in line with previous years’ results, despite the increased difficulty of the subjects that have made the transition.

Head teacher Chris Jeffery said: “We are very proud of the achievements of our young people, who have coped so well with the challenge and chaos inherent in the ridiculously phased introduction of Michael Gove’s new A-level system. We are equally delighted that 84 per cent of those applying to university this year have secured a place on one of their chosen university courses."

At Fulford School head teacher, Lorna Savage, said: “Huge congratulations go to all our students on their fabulous performances in this year’s A-Level and BTEC examinations.

“Our record breaking results this year reflect the hard work and talent of our students and they show a further improvement on the excellent performances achieved last year.

“These results deserve particular praise and celebration given the major turbulence and change in the A-Level exam system at present. Our overall A-level subject results show a superb, record breaking 66 per cent of grades awarded at A*-B and a highly impressive average grade B achieved across all entries."

At York College pupils have got an A-level pass rate of 99.7 per cent with a record of almost 60 per cent high grades achieved (A*- B). The results will be significantly above the national average.

More than 30 students gained three or more A* or A grades, with seven students achieving 3 A*s or more. The college had a 100 per cent pass rate in 35 A-level subjects. Principal, Dr Alison Birkinshaw, said: “Yet again I am immensely proud of the achievements of every single student in our A-level faculty."