A BRIGHT future awaits young people of Bolton who celebrated outstanding success in their A-levels.

At Bolton School girls’ division the percentage of papers graded A* to B and and A* to C improved. More than three quarters of grades achieved fell in the A* to B range, up from 72.4 per cent last year to 76.6 per cent. There was a similar improvement in the percentage of A* to C grades, up from 89.3 per cent to 93.3 per cent. And 12.9 per cent of papers were given the very top grade of A*.

Headmistress Sue Hincks said: “I am delighted with the girls’ success once again this year and pleased that these results will allow the vast majority to accept places at their top choice university.”

At Bolton School boys’ division the number of A* to C grades, rose to 91.5 per cent from 89.1 per cent and 71 per cent of passes were at A*, A or B.

Headmaster, Philip Britton, said: “A level results day marks the end of years of hard work, focused both on passing the exams and on developing an intellectual interest which will remain for life. It is always a pleasure to celebrate such success today and to help the boys move on to the next stage of their lives. We can be sure they will do themselves proud in their chosen university courses and will be good ambassadors for the school and for Bolton. We view our job as not just getting them off to a university course but giving them the skills they will need to thrive there.”

Rivington and Blackrod High School celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate with 48 per cent of passes at A*, A or B. In BTEC subjects the pass rate was also 100 per cent, with 82 per cent of the results at distinction or distinction*.

Paul Canning, Head of Rivington and Blackrod Sixth Form said, “We are delighted with this year’s results which fully give credit to the hard work and dedication of all students. These grades are giant steps forward for our students in terms of their life opportunities, and provide a great basis for future study and for obtaining worthwhile and rewarding careers.”

More than half the grades at Turton School were at A* to B with a number of students getting straight As.

Headteacher Sam Gorse said: “In this the first year of terminal exams, I am delighted with how highly our students have achieved. I am an advocate of the new terminal exam system as I believe that AS levels were a distraction in the middle of a two year course, and in many cases it is in the second year of A-level study where students really begin to determine the true depth and breadth of learning involved in each subject.

“We are very proud of how well our sixth formers have performed, with so many achieving first choice university places.”

Bolton Sixth Form College had 59 per cent of its A level students being awarded high grades and 95 per cent of BTEC National Diploma students achieving distinction* and distinction grades, up on last year.

The newly appointed Principal of Bolton Sixth Form College, Stuart Merrills said: “We are very proud of the achievements of all our students and there are excellent results right across the board, for which students have worked extremely hard. This is the first year that students have sat the two-year linear exam and it is testament to the dedication and hard work of both students and staff that the results are so good.”

At Kearsley Academy results in business, health and social care and sport were particularly strong with 100 per cent of students passing these qualifications and 71 per cent students achieving an average grade of distinction or higher.

Canon Slade School celebrated 20 per cent of all grades being at A* and A and almost 75 per cent of passes being at A* to C.

A record number of students at Bolton St Catherine’s Academy gained a place at their university of choice and with many more achieving places at Russell Group institutions.

Eiva Parry, Head of Sixth Form said: “I am delighted with the success of our students, showing the combination of hard work support and sheer determination always pays off.

"The Academy is looking forward to many more students coming to our sixth Form and moving on to their chosen destinations.”

Thornleigh Salesian College celebrated A-level success.

Headteacher Alison Burrowes said: “All the hard work and dedication of students and staff, together with the support of their parents has paid off and we congratulate them all on their success. We wish all of our students the very best of luck as they go off to university or employment.”

The first set of A-level students at Bolton UTC received their results.

Liam McDaid, Acting Principal, said:”Today is a really exciting milestone for UTC Bolton’s staff and students. I am immensely proud of our results.

"We are delighted to see our students securing health sciences and engineering specialist university destinations including medicine, law, optometry and audiology.”