RECORDS were broken across North Yorkshire on A-level day 2018.

This was against a backdrop of students having to contend with an array of changes, chief among them, assessment is now largely exam based at the end of the two-year course. Also AS-levels no longer contribute to an A-level qualification.

Results coverage this year has also been hamstrung by new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules which, though not intended to influence exam coverage, have had a significant impact with many schools choosing not to submit their results for the first time.

Malton School head teacher Rob Williams said: “As a group, the students performed in line with expectations, which was particularly pleasing as the first cohort to go through the new linear system, where in most cases, the results are based on exams at the end of the two-year course.

“The sixth form also delivers a small number of vocational BTEC courses.

“Students on these courses achieved highly too and secured the outcomes they needed for their career plans.”

Students at Norton College secured places on a variety of degree courses following their results.

Phil Loftus, head teacher, said: “Norton is a unique local sixth form because it enables students to combine academic with vocational courses. Students have used this to their advantage to secure offers from a wide variety of degree courses; from film production at Salford University to English at Cambridge University.”

Jack Sedman, 17, Tom Mooring, 18 and Ash Coning, also 18, all from Norton, were celebrating their results.

Jack is aiming to take up an apprenticeship in business and digital marketing, after achieving an A* in business among his results, while Tom is also doing an apprenticeship at Norton Primary in IT and business administration, while Ash is looking further afield with the aim of taking up professional cycling.

Maddy Cane, 18, from Scagglethorpe, achieved an A* in her extended project, B in geography, B in psychology and D in biology. She is going to Northumbria University to study psychology.

Lydia Taylor, 18, from Norton, is going to study drama after achieving a C in psychology, D in English and Merit in drama.

Students and staff Lady Lumley’s School in Pickering celebrated an excellent set of results, achieving 44 A and 13 A* grades, with 18 of the 68 students achieving at least 2 A/A* grades.

Head teacher Richard Lumley said: “These are our strongest A-level results ever, with over 62 per cent of entries at grade A* to B, and placing Lady Lumley’s sixth form firmly in the top 25 per cent of schools and colleges nationally.

“We are proud of all our students. Each of them has had their own personal journey and even though all students cannot achieve the highest grades, they have each gained extremely creditable academic performances in their own right; testament to their hard work over the two years and the care and dedication of their teachers and support staff."

l For results, reports and pictures, see Wednesday's Gazette & Herald