Some Bradford schools have reported record A-level results in the face of the first fall in 20 years across the country in the numbers of students achieving at least an A grade.

Tong High School was among those which recorded the best A-Level results in the school’s history with a 98.2 per cent overall pass rate. It also increased its percentage of A* to B grades from 35 last year to a 69 per cent.

Student Salma Begum managed to record some of the school’s best A-Level results, scoring A*s in psychology and sociology, along with a B in English, which she will use to study psychology at the University of Bradford.

Assistant head teacher post-16, Bernie Leonard said: “Needless to say we are absolutely delighted with the results.”

:

Bradford Grammar School recorded an increase on last year’s impressive results, prompting hopes it had returned to its position as top school in Yorkshire and in the top 100 nationally, after it slipped last year to second place behind St Peter’s in York.

The percentage of pupils at BGS passing with an A* to B rose from 74 per cent to 84 per cent, Headmaster Kevin Riley said: “At both A2 and AS level BGS students have excelled this year, with 84 per cent of grades being A* to B and seven students achieving a clean sweep of A*s, it’s been another golden moment for BGS.”

Challenge College was another celebrating an improvement on the previous year – its QCA points rose from 649 last year to 698 this year.

Head teacher Sian Harris said: “We have seen a steady rise in A level results over the past five years that we are very proud of.”

Belle Vue Girls’ School recorded its best A-Level pass rate of 98.2 per cent – well above the national average of 96.9 per cent. Head Mary Copeland said: “Students and staff have worked hard and smart to achieve these terrific results.” Dixons City Academy celebrated with a number of students achieving impressive grades, including Maha Ali, who scored three A*s and one A, Katie Lythgow, who achieved four As, and David Parkin, who recorded two A*s, one A and one C.

Principal Shirley Watson said: “We are delighted.”