Ely College celebrated a significant improvement in higher grade passes when students collected their A-level and vocational diploma results.

Students maintained the overall pass rate from last year, with 96 per cent of subject entries achieving a grade A*-E or equivalent.

For higher grades, at A*-C or equivalent, the pass rate was 62 per cent, a significant improvement of 12 per cent on the 2014 results.

At A-level, students achieved particularly well in history, geography and art with more than 70 per cent of students achieving higher grades.

At AS-level, the overall pass rate and the percentage of entries at A*-C and A*-B were all higher than in previous years.

Many students were very successful in their vocational subjects. In sport, more than 70 per cent of entries were graded at distinction+, the highest grade possible. Distinction grades were also achieved in media and applied science.

Students studying the professional accountancy course achieved 100 per cent success.

Mark Sirot-Smith, director of sixth form, said: “Students and staff have worked fantastically well together to produce some real successes. They should be very proud of their achievements.

“Many of the students are now heading to university and I look forward to hearing about all their future success.”