The total number of students accepted on to UK degree courses has risen by 3% on the same point last year, with 425,680 taking up places so far, initial Ucas figures show
Every region of England has seen a year-on-year increase in the proportion of A-level entries awarded A and above,and remains above pre-pandemic level
The higher proportion of those receiving A* and A grades at A-Level compared to last year across the North has seen the gap with better-performing regions close according to figures from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Students at The Manchester College are celebrating this morning after securing top grades in their T Levels and other technical and creative qualifications, including BTECs.
This is the College’s second cohort of students to complete the qualification, with 78% achieving a high grade – a 4% increase on 2023 and includes four courses that secured a pass rate of 100%.
T Levels, which launched at the College in 2021, are a high-level technical qualification in which students complete a 45-day industry placement with an employer as part of their study programme. They’re also equivalent to three traditional A Levels.
99.30% of students achieved other Level 3 technical and creative qualifications, including BTECs, up from 96.31% in 2023. From this year’s cohort, 80.35% achieved a merit grade or above and over 50% of students who studied these courses have walked away with a distinction or higher.
Rachel Curry, Principal of The Manchester College, said: “We are exceptionally proud of the amazing results that our students have achieved which are a testament to their talent, dedication and perseverance. They’ve worked incredibly hard, with the support of our incredible teachers and support teams, to reach the aspirational goals they set for themselves and develop the technical and creative skills that will make sure they stand out from the crowd when they progress to university or start their careers.
“It’s especially pleasing to see the success of our T Level students. They took on a brand-new qualification with enthusiasm and tenacity, and now they’ve got their reward. I’d also like to thank our tutors and employer partners for their commitment to supporting our T Level students and making them a success.”
Results day this year has been particularly significant on a personal level for Jackie Fahey, outgoing Principal of Whalley Range High School.
It has been the last results day she has got to spend with her sixth form students, ahead of her retirement in a couple of weeks’ time, following a 35-year career in teaching – the last ten years of which have been in Manchester.
She said: “I’m very proud of the hard work, resilience and commitment that our students have demonstrated during their time in school, punctuated as it has been for them by the pandemic. Their exam results are testament to these efforts. Working with our students over the years has been an absolute privilege and I wish all of them the very best of luck as they embark upon their new ventures.”
