Pupils from a grammar school are celebrating after opening their A-Level results, with many moving on to their first-choice universities.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) said that this was a very difficult year for these students as it was the first time they had sat external examinations due to the Covid pandemic.

Overall results showed a two per cent increase in the awarding of A* and A grades, and a four per cent increase in the A* to B measure with close to half of all grades awarded to students being a grade B or above.

Thirty-six per cent of students achieved at least one A* or A grade which is a remarkable achievement as the school only offers a set of the most traditional and rigorous A-Level subjects.

Head of Sixth Form at QEGS in Blackburn, Mike Hindall, said he is very proud of how the pupils have done.

He said: “It is fantastic. We have seen a lot of very happy faces today and the result of overcoming a lot of difficulties along the way.

“It has certainly been a bit of a journey and going through it with them I have definitely understood the difficulties they have had.

“With not having done exams until this year, getting used to being back in school and the obstacles they have faced.

“It’s great they have all done so well today – I am really made up for them”

Khadijah Ahmed achieved AAA and is going on to study maths and computer science at the University of Liverpool.

She said: “I am really proud of what I have achieved today. I am very excited to go on to my university.

“It has been really hard but I have been working hard and I am so happy to get through it.”

Lancashire Telegraph: (L-R) Amaan Sharif, Esme Wilcock and Louis Strand(L-R) Amaan Sharif, Esme Wilcock and Louis Strand

Zaiden Patel was awarded AAB, granting him a place at Queen’s Mary’s in London to study maths and finance.

Fiona Flemming achieved a fantastic A*A*A which gets her onto the medicine course at Cardiff University.

Alexander Bendell was awarded ABB which grants him a spot on the computer science degree at Nottingham University.

Harvey Ashworth is heading to Newcastle University to study law after achieving AAA.

He said: “I am buzzing, I can’t complain. Going into Law has always been the plan and now I get to do it.”

Also heading to Newcastle University is Louis Strand after he achieved AAB. He will be studying sport science.

Esme Wilcock earned A*A*B which will see her go on to study fine art at the University of Central Lancashire.

Amaan Sharif will be studying psychology at the University of Liverpool after getting AAB in his A-Levels.