POST-16 students in the Bradford district marked the end of two years of study as results day arrived.
There were tears of joy across schools and colleges in the district as young people received their results and planned for their next steps.
A Team GB swimmer who has her eye on the 2024 Paris Olympics was among those celebrating.
Leah Schlosshan, 18, balanced her studies at Bradford Grammar School (BGS) with being one of the country’s leading young swimmers.
Her hard work paid off with an A in Maths, A in Chemistry, and an A* in Biology. She now plans to take a year out to focus on her Olympics bid before taking up a place at the University of Nottingham to study medicine.
She said: “I’m looking forward to being able to completely focus on training and give qualifying for the Paris Olympics my best shot. I know it’s going to be hard, but I have a chance. It would be a dream come true.”
Fellow BGS student, Nikhil Gupta, 18, of Horsforth, is following in his father’s footsteps by studying for a degree at the University of Liverpool.
Nikhil gained an A grade in Biology and Bs in Maths and Design Technology and will go on to study Civil Engineering.
His father, Rajan Gupta, studied Pharmacy at the same university from 1994 to 1997.
Students at a Bradford post-16 college were also celebrating their results.
Paige Hunt, 18, of Low Moor, said she was relieved after receiving an A in Law and Sociology and a diploma in Criminology.
She has left New College to take on a solicitors’ apprenticeship in Bradford and Leeds.
She said: “I’m relieved. I was getting nervous for the last three days.”
Friends Ben Poole and Jamie Deacon, both 18 and from Wibsey, will be studying for a degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Leeds.
Ben gained As in Physics, Maths, and Chemistry and a D in Further Maths. Meanwhile, Jamie received an A* in Physics, Maths, and Further Maths.
Stuart Nash, principal at New College, said: “I’m really pleased. They are really strong results this year.”
Other Bradford district student success stories included Belle Vue Girls’ Academy student Nowira Yousaf who achieved a Distinction in Business, Distinction* in Applied Law, and an A in Criminology.
She said: "I am so proud of myself. Especially considering I came to England only eight years ago knowing little English."
At Bradford College, 1,450 students gained a Level 3 qualification, including A-levels and BTECs.
A total of 36 Level 3 courses achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.
Science provision came out on top with a 100 per cent pass and achievement rate for the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science.
Of these, 40 students (27 per cent) received a triple distinction, which is equivalent to three A*s.
Students at Immanuel College are looking forward to taking their next steps after receiving an impressive set of results.
A total of 87 per cent of A-level grades awarded were A* to C - 12 per cent above the national average.
In vocational subjects, 73 per cent of BTEC (and equivalent subject grades) were Distinction* to Distinction.
Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills, said: “On behalf of Bradford Council, I would like to say a huge well done to all the students for their hard work and determination. They should be extremely proud of their achievements.
“It is great to hear their successes stories, especially considering the challenges of the last few years.
“I wish them all the best for whatever they do next, whether they go to university, go into training or move straight into employment.”
Nationally, the proportion of A-level entries awarded top grades was down from last year but still remains above pre-pandemic levels.
More than a quarter (27.2 per cent) of UK entries were awarded an A or A* grade, down by 9.2 percentage points on last year when 36.4 per cent achieved the top grades.
However, this was still higher than in 2019 - the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic - when 25.4 per cent of entries were awarded A or A* grades.
The overall pass rate - the proportion of entries graded A* to E - fell to 97.3 per cent this year, which is lower than 2022 (98.4 per cent).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here