Students across Barnsley received their A-level results on Thursday 15 August with a fantastic 99.6 per cent pass rate in the borough.
This is an increase of 0.5 per cent from 2023 and is higher than both the regional and national averages.
The percentage of students in Barnsley achieving a Grade A or A* also increased from 16.7 percent last year to 19.8 percent this year, again surpassing regional and national averages.
Penistone Grammar School maintained its 100 percent pass rate and had 95.8 percent of pupils getting three A levels with 33.3 percent achieving a Grade A or A*, up from 25.7 per cent in 2023.
In total, 93 percent of their students secured a place at their first-choice university.
Meanwhile, Barnsley College saw a 99.5 percent pass rate for students earning at least one A-level, while 62.8 percent achieved three A-levels, a significant increase on last year’s figure of 56.9 percent.
In total, 14.3 percent of their students achieved a Grade A or A*, while a majority secured their first-choice university place, including at Oxford, Cambridge and the Royal Veterinary College.
Councillor Ashley Peace, Cabinet support member for Children’s Services, said: “I’d like to congratulate our A-level students on their results. A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into their studies, and we're incredibly proud of them all.
"We're delighted that our pass rate is above regional and national averages. It's a fantastic outcome which will allow our young people to aim high and achieve their full potential as they move into the next phase of their lives.
"We offer our sincere thanks to all of the teachers, parents and carers who have supported them through their education.
“For those who may be disappointed or upset if they didn't get the grades they were hoping for, please remember that there are many options and plenty of help available if you are uncertain about what route to take next.”
Schools and colleges offer support from dedicated advisers and have a wide range of information available. For students who need to go through the clearing process, the UCAS website has a dedicated webpage for this.
The National Careers Service provides information to help young people decide on their next steps, and the exam results helpline can be contacted on 0800 100 900.
Some young people may be seeking alternatives to higher education and many employers, including us, offer apprenticeship opportunities which help young people to gain new experiences and work skills. You can find out more at barnsley.gov.uk/services/jobs/apprenticeships.
People of all ages can explore opportunities and support for learning, training, work or volunteering at our Skills and Employability event on Saturday 7 September (9am-4pm). Join us at the Glass Works Square and the Library @ the Lightbox, where partners and advisors will be on hand to help you explore what’s possible.
