THE beaming smiles on the faces of thousands of young people yesterday told their own story. Teenagers across York and North Yorkshire reaped a bumper crop of ‘A’-levels – bucking a national trend which saw results slightly down.

In York, the number of young people gaining at least three A*-E grades hit a phenomenal 97 per cent – two per cent up on last year – and 41 per cent of sixth-formers in the city got at least three Bs.

The results put York schools well ahead of the national average: proof again of the generally excellent quality of education our young people enjoy.

A-levels mark a huge step in the lives of a young person – the moment when adulthood, and the possibility of going off to university or into a first job, beckon. So it is great to see so many of our teenagers getting such a good start in life. Congratulations to all who have done well.

While today is a day for celebration, however, not everyone will have done quite so well.

A worrying report revealed recently that while York schools are generally excellent, there is one group of youngsters being failed – those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In York, the gap in attainment between them and the rest is among the highest in the country.

The council pledged it would learn lessons and “tackle this issue effectively”. That must not be forgotten amid the smiles and celebrations today.