5:50PM, Thu Aug 16, 2012

100% Pass Rate For Gateshead A-Level Students As Tyne And Wear Pass Rate Exceeds National Average

By India Adams Location: Tyne and Wear

Video: Students celebrate record A-Level success

At least three of the five council boroughs in Tyne and Wear have exceeded the national average pass rate with students in Gateshead reaching the highly coveted 100% success mark.

Provisional figures show South Tyneside’s average pass rate for grades A*-E was 99.2%, North Tyneside’s 99.6% and Sunderland’s 99%, surpassing the national average of 98%.

Gateshead Council cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Angela Douglas said: "While these figures are still tentative, it would appear that this is as an amazing achievement for the students, and Gateshead as a whole.

"Achieving 100 per cent is not easy. We’ve got a long track record of exceptional educational achievement here in Gateshead.

"This latest success is a testament to the dedication of A-level candidates’ and their two years of hard work. It’s also evidence of the quality of teaching and support that our schools and their staff provide."

Students in North Tyneside also achieved success, bucking the national trend for a dip in the number of A and A*s as they secured the greatest number of these grades compared theor 2011 results.

The average point score per student is also the highest the borough has ever seen, with almost 10% of students achieving three or more A-levels at A or A* grades.

Cllr David Lilly, North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: "Our students and staff have worked extremely hard to achieve this great set of results, which are an absolute credit to them.

"North Tyneside schools encourage high aspiration and set high standards, working closely in partnership with the local authority and each other, to support our young people and enable them to reach their full potential.

"It’s especially encouraging to hear that so many of our students have secured their first or second choice of university place, with many meeting rigorously high entry requirements to secure places at some of the country’s top universities. This really is a set of results to be proud of."

In Sunderland, the number of students with A*-C grade passes rose from 69% in 2011 to 76%.

Councillor Pat Smith, Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with this set of results and delighted for our students across Sunderland. They have set a tremendous example that hard work pays off.

"Today they can feel very proud of themselves and we congratulate them on their achievements.

"This is the fourth year in a row that the pass rate for A-Levels has risen in Sunderland.

"While our young people are today celebrating, it is also worthwhile remembering the hard work of parents, teachers and support staff in school sixth forms and Sunderland College."