A MENSTON school is celebrating its best A-level results for years.

St Mary's Menston says its Year 13 students have achieved an 'absolutely fantastic' set of results.

Acting Co-head of Sixth Form, James Trickett, described them as 'the best that St Mary's Sixth Form has enjoyed for many years'.

Speaking after the results were published on Thursday, August 16, he added: "Students in fact outperformed our most optimistic predictions to push the average grade achieved per A level entry up by a quarter of a grade compared with last year.

"This is a significant achievement.

"These results are a testament to the hard work and commitment students have put in over the last two years.

"Against a backdrop of much uncertainty – the new linear A-levels, changes in university admissions and increases in costs – our students are to be congratulated on yet again achieving a set of results that enable them to embark on the next stage of their lives.

"For most, this means university with more than 90 per cent of those who applied securing a place this morning at the university of their choice.

"They will pursue their dreams and aspirations ranging from the academic, such as English literature, economics, philosophy, medicine or dentistry, to the vocational like sports therapy or business management.

"Others will study more creative or exotic subjects such as script writing or fashion marketing.

"A number of students are also using their grades to pursue apprenticeships or go straight into employment."

Students have been offered places at universities across the country, including St Andrews, Durham, Bristol, Warwick and London, while others will be taking gap years to travel before returning to their studies.

Mr Trickett said: "We wish all our Year 13 leavers every success in their future endeavours and look forward to celebrating with them at the A level Presentation Evening in December."