Students across East Lancashire are celebrating after collecting their A-Level and BTEC results.

Nervous year 13 pupils received their results on Tuesday (August 10) to determine where they would go next – with many pupils achieving and being accepted into their university of choice.

A number of pupils who have studied in Blackburn have been accepted to Oxford and Cambridge with a number of other students gaining spots at prestigious Russell Group universities including Manchester University, Cardiff University, York University and Liverpool University.

Results this year were determined by teachers rather than exams, with pupils only assessed on what they have been taught during the pandemic.

Nationally, more than two in five, 44.8 per cent, of UK entries were awarded an A or A* grade this summer, up by 6.3 percentage points on last year when 38.5 per cent achieved the top grades.

In 2019, when exams were last run before the pandemic, just 25.5 per cent of entries achieved an A or above.

Director of Children’s, Young People and Education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Jayne Ivory said: “I would like to say congratulations to all of Blackburn with Darwen’s hardworking students with their A-Level and BTEC results.

“2021 has been another difficult year in education but I am proud of all of our young people for continuing to work hard and face the challenges with a positive attitude.

“I wish you all best of luck with your next steps, whether you choose to continue into further education, apprenticeships or other training, or employment.

“There are opportunities out there whatever you decide to do.”

Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for education and skills, Jayne Rear said: "I know how difficult and challenging the year has been, but I hope that they feel that they have been awarded the grades they wanted.

"They should be proud of what they have achieved, and the remarkable resilience they have shown through such an extraordinary time.

"I wish them all every success as they move on to the next stage of their lives, whatever they choose to do."

At Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, 64 per cent of students achieved at least one A* or A grade in their studies, while overall 90 per cent of all A-Level grades awarded were A*-C.

Headteacher Claire Gammon said: “Our students continue to work extremely hard. They have developed into resilient and mature young adults and I am very proud of them.

"They thoroughly deserve their success. I would like to congratulate all of our students and wish them well in the future.”

Westholme has seen their ‘lockdown graduates’ achieve above and beyond what they expected after 94 per cent of students at the top school secured at least one grade B or above, while 68 per cent of them achieved at least one A grade.

Students at Blackburn College have seen 41.4 per cent of A-Levels graded A* to B in a year when students have had to contend with periods of home and remote learning.

St Mary’s College has recorded an A-Level pass rate of 99.2 per cent with a Vocational pass rate of 100 per cent - with 62 per cent of A-Level students achieved high A*-B grades, and 83 per cent achieving A*-C grades.