THERE were celebrations across the district yesterday as thousands of pupils picked up their A-level results, with many local schools reporting their best results yet.

After months of anxious waiting, students finally learned how they did in the exams, and whether they would be able to continue into higher education.

In some schools there was a 100 per cent pass rate, with other experiencing their highest number of top grades and huge numbers of pupils getting into their first choice of university.

Early analysis by Bradford Council shows that overall the results were a similar level to last year's.

St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic was one of the schools that saw its best results.

Jo Weir, assistant head of Sixth Form, said: “We’re really proud, it’s great that all the kids have done so well.

“We’ve had a 100 per cent pass rate this year, and around 50 per cent of results are an A or B.”

Matthew McLoughlin, from Saltaire, was one of the students who was delighted with his results. He achieved four A* grades, in Biology, Chemistry, maths and in an extended subject. He is now going on to Oxford University to study Biology and said: “I’m hoping to go into research, possibly in genetics or molecular biology.

“I’m really relieved, the whole summer has been building up to it.”

Jacob Wheeler, from Denholme, got two As, in English Language and sociology and a B in English Literature. He will study law at Newcastle, and said: “It is a double celebration for me because it’s my 18th birthday today, but I’ve been prioritising this.

“It will be nice to go home and relax.”

Students at Bradford College celebrated impressive results in both A Level and AS Level examinations.

Of all the students who sat A Levels at the college’s Sixth Form this year, 98 per cent achieved a pass.

And the pass rate was a perfect 100 per cent for nine out of 15 subjects – English Language, English Literature, business studies, chemistry, citizenship, film studies, media studies, applied science and anthropology.

Head of department academic, art, science & maths, Anita Lall said: “The students have worked really hard to achieve their results. We are proud of them and they should be very proud of themselves.

“We are expanding our sixth form provision so this is a very strong foundation on which to do that.

“More students than ever have applied to come to do A-levels with us next year and we look forward to more celebration days like today.”

Titus Salt School in Saltaire also saw its best ever A-level results, with over 53 per cent of entries awarded A*, A or B at A-level, with a strong performance in STEM subjects.

At Beckfoot School in Bingley almost every exam taken by students was passed.

Head teacher David Horn said: “ 99.8 per cent of the examinations taken were passed with 29.5 per cent attaining A* or A grades. 55 per cent of our students achieved top A* to B grades and 82.5 per cent achieved A* to C.”

Bingley Grammar School head of sixth form S?imon Greening said: “We’re delighted with the results and the vast majority of our students are going to university.

“It’s brilliant to have helped them and now see them take that step.”

One of the schools pupils to do well was Eve O’Grady, who is off to University College London to study psychology after getting an A* in that subject and two As in geography and philosophy and ethics.

She said: “It feels fantastic to finally be out of limbo and say for the first time - that’s what I’m going to do.”

And University Academy Keighley saw its fifth successive year of improvement in A-level results.

At Bradford Grammar School over half of all exams taken were graded A* A, compared with 25.8 per cent nationally. Headmaster Simon Hinchliffe said:

“I am delighted to congratulate our students on some outstanding results this year; with 100 per cent pass rate and 52 per cent of all grades being at A* or A, BGS continues to achieve outstanding academic results.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: "I want to congratulate all the young people getting their results today who have worked extremely hard.

“Provisional results from academies and schools are still being analysed but early indications suggest that the level of achievement in academic subjects has remained roughly the same as last year, although the DfE has introduced a new points system which doesn’t allow schools to make a direct comparison between 2015 and 2016. The latest figures are based on data from 25 out of the 29 schools.

“Grades per entry for the vocational subjects indicate a good spread of results, suggesting an average grade of a Distinction for the new applied general qualifications. That’s good news for the district as it’s vital that we have young people with the right skills.

“I am confident that the review of Post-16 provision can now make a real difference by supporting schools to raise standards more rapidly. We look forward to working closely with all schools and academies on this exciting agenda.”

For more coverage of A-level results see the Telegraph & Argus' results supplement, which will be included in Wednesday's issue.