A record number of school leavers have woken up today to find out they have gained an undergraduate place at university or college this year.
Some 262,820 18-year-olds in the UK have been accepted, up three per cent compared to last year's figures at 255,130.
The proportion of A-level grades marked A* or A have risen across the board, up from 28.2% to 28.3% in England.
Students across Altrincham were gathering in school halls from 8am to open their envelopes - and, in many cases, to confirm places already showing on the UCAS Hub.
Here's a round-up of how some Altrincham schools fared - we'll be updating this through the day.
93% land first-choice university at Loreto
Loreto Grammar School is celebrating record-breaking A Level results, with 21.7 per cent of all grades awarded at A* and 57.7 per cent at A*-A.
Forty-three students in the cohort achieved three A or A* grades, while eight students secured straight A*s.
Ninety-three per cent of the year group have won a place at their preferred choice of university, seven students are heading to Oxford or Cambridge, and a further 12 will take up apprenticeship places.
Students celebrate at Loreto
Headteacher Jane Beever said: "We are thrilled that the girls have achieved such excellent outcomes. Our role as educators is to help nurture individual gifts and talents, and this is clearly evident in today's results and in the rich and diverse future destinations which are now open to the girls.
"We are particularly proud given that this year we will celebrate 175 years of Loreto education in the United Kingdom, beginning in Manchester in 1851. The Loreto sisters and their nationwide schools have had a profound impact on the history of education in this country, and that includes the lives of so many here at Loreto Grammar School."
74 AGGS students score straight A*s and As
There was more to celebrate at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, where 90 per cent of examinations were graded A*-B and 97 per cent A*-C.
Twenty-nine per cent of all entries were awarded an A*, and 70 per cent were graded A* or A. Seventy-four students achieved an A* or A in every one of their subjects, while 19 picked up three or more A* grades.
Stephanie Gill, Principal at AGGS, said: "We are delighted that our students have achieved such excellent outcomes as the culmination of their years of study with us. They are a fitting reward for the hard work, determination and resilience our students have shown during the last two years.
"They also reflect the wonderful support and excellent teaching students received from our staff. We are incredibly proud of every one of our students and wish them the very best for the future."
Lisa Fathers, Chief Executive Officer of Bright Futures Educational Trust, which runs the school, said: "A level results day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what our students have achieved and to recognise the many different paths that now open up to them. We are incredibly proud of this year's cohort and of the breadth of their successes, both academically and beyond the classroom.
"These results are a reflection of the ambition and determination of AGGS students, as well as the strong culture of support and aspiration within the school. Congratulations to all our students and their families - we wish them every success as they take their next steps."
Best ever A Level results for Wellington School sixth formers
A Level students at Wellington School in Timperley are celebrating the best ever results in the sixth form's history.
One in five students achieved A* or A grades in all of their subjects, while almost half the year group secured a full set of A*-B grades. Across the cohort, 35 per cent of all grades awarded were A* or A and 67 per cent were A*-B.
Almost all students have secured their first-choice university destination, with others heading into degree apprenticeships with major employers.
Headteacher Stuart Beeley said: "We are absolutely delighted for our wonderful students who have reaped the rewards of their hard work, determination and commitment over the past two years. We are delighted to see our young people progressing to a range of top destinations, including universities such as Cambridge, and degree apprenticeships with leading blue chip organisations.
More Wellington School students celebrate their success
"While these destinations and the exceptional grades achieved are certainly cause for celebration, we are equally proud that our value-added scores once again place us among the top schools in the country for the progress our students make.
"Indeed, our SEND and disadvantaged students have outperformed the rest of this year's cohort. This is a powerful testament to the ambition we have for every young person and to the dedication of our students, staff and wider school community. We could not be more proud of what this year group has achieved."
Oxbridge, medicine and dentistry place for St Ambrose students
There was significant cause for celebration at St Ambrose College in Hale Barns, where almost 50 per cent of all A Level grades were awarded at A* or A and just under 80 per cent were A*-B, in line with last year’s outcomes. Some 95 per cent of students attained grades A*-C.
Six students have taken up Oxbridge offers, and 15 in total have so far accepted places to study medicine and dentistry.
Tobi A and Liam N will start at Cambridge in September reading history and medicine respectively, while Benedict K, Luca P, Christopher P and Ben W head to Oxford to read economics and management, chemistry, geography and history. Oluwafolajimi A and James O’B will take up offers from universities in the United States, the former via The Sutton Trust, and Chigozie M will start at North Carolina studying biomedical engineering in 2027 following a gap year.
The majority of students will take up places at Russell Group universities, with a growing number choosing the degree apprenticeship route.
Across the cohort, eight students achieved straight A* grades, a further two attained three A*s and an A, and almost 40 students achieved a minimum of grade A across all of their A Levels.
Principal Dermot Rainey said: “Throughout their time in the Sixth Form, the attitude of these students has been first class and matched the aspirations they set for themselves. There has always been a palpable desire from them to do well and to support each other in doing so. As a staff, we are thrilled that the results received today will equip them to undertake the next chapter of their lives, whatever that next chapter may be.”
He added: “Teaching staff and support staff have supported these young men every step of the way, regularly going the extra mile to support, whether that be academically, pastorally or spiritually.
“I am grateful for their willingness to accompany the students along the road with so much care and compassion, and hope that everyone associated with the school community will feel part of today’s celebrations.”
Best ever progress results for Altrincham College
Year 13 students at Altrincham College Sixth Form in Timperley celebrated an outstanding set of A Level and vocational results – the sixth form’s best to date in terms of student progress.
Headteacher Andrew Keegan said: “It’s been a fantastic morning celebrating with our Year 13 students and wonderful to see so many happy faces. These outstanding results are testament to the hard work, determination and dedication of students and staff, and they continue to place us among the top 25 per cent of sixth forms and colleges nationally.
“This achievement comes shortly after our recent Ofsted inspection where our Sixth Form was judged to be of ‘Strong’ standard. Inspectors praised our ambitious curriculum and the depth and sophistication of students’ subject knowledge, making today’s results even more rewarding for Altrincham College Sixth Form.”
Head of Sixth Form Ali Mahmood added: “I am thrilled with this year’s results and could not be prouder of our students. They have shown remarkable resilience over the last two years, particularly throughout the exam period.”
Among those celebrating was Theo, who achieved AAA in history, law and business and surpassed the grades needed for his first-choice university, Leeds, where he will study law. “I am really looking forward to attending Leeds,” he said. “I locked in and it paid off. The staff were a large part of this as they pushed me to try my hardest.”
Jacob, who has accepted a place at Edinburgh to study English and linguistics, said he “couldn’t have been happier”. Also celebrating were Leo, heading to Manchester to read sociology, Adham, who will study economics at Nottingham, Lizza, who is off to Leeds to study midwifery, and Leia, who has been accepted by York for English.
Students on vocational courses also had plenty to celebrate, particularly the school’s sports students, many of whom achieved the top Distinction* or Distinction grades - including Jake, who is heading to the University of Liverpool to study physiotherapy.
