THOUSANDS of students across the Bradford district were celebrating today as many schools announced record A-level results.

After a summer of nervous anticipation, students returned to school to pick up the exam results will shape their futures, and more students seemed to be getting good news that in previous years.

FULL 2015 A-LEVEL RESULTS LISTS FROM BRADFORD DISTRICT SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Education leaders on Bradford Council have described this year's results as "encouraging", but admitted there was still much more to do to improve attainment levels in the district.

Nationally, the overall pass rate has risen, after falling last year for the first time in three decades, but this was countered by a national drop in the number of pupils awarded the coveted A* and A grades. This figure fell fractionally to 25.9 per cent, down 0.1 per cent on last year.

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Bradford College was one of the centres to enjoy record results. Its A-level success was 97 per cent, with 11 out of 14 subjects seeing 100 per cent success. This was a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Subjects in which there was a 100 per cent pass rates were AS further maths, film studies, biology, English literature and business studies.

Asiya Bibi, 20, of Bradford, could not contain her excitement when she found out she had got an A* in sociology, a B in Physics and a C in English Literature. After thanking her tutors, she said: "I'm very excited, I'm going to Bradford University to study mental health nursing.

"I had started A-levels once before, but my mum wasn't well so I only ended up doing a few months of them. This was another chance to get them."

Also given a second chance was Rocco Memery, 19, of Clayton. He was celebrating after achieving a B in sociology A-level, an A in English Literature AS level and an A in English Language AS level.

Rocco lived in Greece for nine years, and was home schooled. When he returned to the UK and sat his A-levels the first time around he did not get the success he hoped for. After enrolling at Bradford College he says he did much better, and has university in his sights after finishing his courses.

He said: "When I last sat AS levels it didn't go particularly well so I decided to do them a second time around. The staff at the college have been brilliant."

Andy Welsh, chief executive of the college, said: "We're really proud of the work the students have put in to get a result like this.

"At the college we have students from very diverse backgrounds, including some students that need a bit more support than others. The success is not just down to this support, but to the students putting a lot of extra effort in themselves."

At Bradford Grammar School 50 per cent of all exams were awarded A* or A, with one pupil, Lily MacTaggart, gaining an impressive five A*s.

Other success stories include Rowan Beckett, a Bradford Grammar School pupil, of Silsden, who gained four A* grades, in biology, chemistry, physics and maths.

He will be going to Peterhouse, Cambridge to study medicine. Rowan played rugby for North Midland Lambs and Ilkley Rugby Club, and hopes to continue the sport in university.

Last year, Titus Salt School in Baildon recorded its best results, and this year results were even better. Half of its pupils' A-level grades were awarded at A*, A or B, and there was a 100 per cent A-level pass rate.

Head teacher Ian Morrel said: “We are all delighted with these results, especially as they are higher than our best ever results which we achieved last year.

"It is fantastic that our students at A-level and in vocational subjects are succeeding at such a high level and are able to progress to their chosen University course.

"We have had some amazing individual achievements but these top results are down to the dedication and commitment of staff, students and parents working together."

Pupils at Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College, Bradford, also helped the school achieve its best results. Principal Jen McIntosh said: “We always get superb results for our vocational A-levels in particular but this year they really are outstanding – well above national results.

"Many of our students choose their courses with an eye to their future careers so it’s great news for Bradford too.”

A spokesman for Ilkley Grammar School said its students achieved results which set new records for the school - it recorded its highest points scores per student.

Other schools seeing improved results include Carlton Bolling College in Undercliffe, where 40 per cent of pupils got grades from A* to B, and most pupils got into the university of their choice.

At Tong High School there was a 99.7 per cent overall pass rate, with 25 out of 26 subjects achieving a 100 per cent pass rate.

University Academy Keighley celebrated its fourth consecutive year of improving results, and Andy Taylor, head teacher of Parkside School in Cullingworth, said there had been a "continued and rapid improvement" at A-levels at his school.

A record 80 per cent of post-16 students at Oasis Academy Lister Park in Bradford have secured their first choice of university.

David Keate, its associate principal, said: "These pupils are a group of highly dedicated and motivated young adults who richly deserve their fantastic results today."

Other schools that have sustained previous strong A-level performances include Beckfoot in Bingley, Immanuel and Oakbank in Keighley.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Exam results are still being analysed by school leaders but initial data suggest there have been improvements across several key areas. Encouragingly, it appears results may have improved again in the Bradford district for the third year running."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for education, said: "I want to congratulate all those young people getting their results today. I know there's been a huge amount of effort put in by students and teachers alike and there are many great achievements.

"It looks like there has been a slight improvement overall which is good news. But I'm clear this is just the latest stage in our progress and there is still more to do to improve attainment levels in Bradford. This work will continue apace to bring about the improvement our young people need.”