THE overall pass rate for A-levels in Warrington was better than last year, defying the national average.

In 2017, the pass rate across the borough stood at 97.9 per cent and rose to 98.3 per cent this year.

Cllr Jean Carter, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for children’s services, said: “Thanks to the hard work of students and staff, it is pleasing that the overall results show an improvement against the national average.

"The results also reflect changes in the assessment arrangements for A-levels with more emphasis on final exams.

"We are pleased the government and Ofsted are now reviewing this policy so as to reward young people at schools with an assessment of the whole learning environment, rather than the emphasis on ‘teaching to the test'.”

At Priestley College, 13.0 per cent of students achieved A* and A grades, 68.7 per cent scored A* to C and 98 per cent gained A* to E.

7.4 per cent of Birchwood College students achieved A* to A grades this year while 48.1 per cent gained A* to C and 98.1 per cent, A* to E.

At Appleton College, 20.4 per cent scored A* to A grades, 64.7 per cent got A* to C and 96.5 per cent achieved A* to E.

13.6 percent of students at Barrowhall College gained A* to A grades, 65.4 per cent got A* to C and 98.9 per cent passed with A* to E.

Lymm High School celebrated 25.1 per cent of their students achieving A* and A grades, 83.3 per cent receiving A* to C and 98.8 per cent receiving A* to E.