A-level results 2024: Find out how schools performed across the Black Country and Staffordshire

Today is guaranteed to be a rollercoaster of emotions for A-level and BTEC students as they see how they performed in their exams after an anxious wait.

Some may be preparing to start university in September, while others might be embarking on an apprenticeship, beginning a new job or packing their bags for a gap year.

Whatever their next step may be, there is certainly a cause to celebrate.

This results day has seen an increase in the number of top A-level grades awarded to students.

In the West Midlands, 24.8 per cent of students took home A* to A grades, an improvement on last year's percentage of 22.9.

Results across the region

At Ormiston SWB Academy in Bilston this morning, there was a buzz of nerves and excitement as sixth-form pupils opened up that all-important envelope to find out what they had achieved.

Students studying fine art in particular were celebrating their results, with 50 per cent having achieved A* or A.

More than half of the youngsters who took health and social care meanwhile achieved a distinction or distinction*.

Among them was Tegan Wood, who achieved a double-distinction*and distinction in the BTEC subject.

A BTEC is a level three diploma which is equivalent to A-levels.

Tegan is now off of to study mental health nursing at the University of Birmingham– her top choice.

The 18-year-old said: "I'm really happy about my grades. I would really like to work in prison or a psychiatric unit, anything that is a secure unit.

"I think there is a lot of avenues it could take me so I am really excited to just explore all of them on placements and find out which one I want to go into."

Fellow Ormiston SWB Academy pupil Hollie Walker meanwhile achieved a distinction in health and social care and distinction* and distinction in sport.

She is now off to study physical education and school sport at Edge Hill University in Lancaster with hopes of becoming a PE teacher.

Hollie said: "I was really shocked, I didn't think I would get at all. There have been many tears and I think my teachers would agree with that, but it has been so fun. I have enjoyed every second of it."

Principal Dan Mason said: "We are proud to see our fantastic students receiving their results today, all of which are hugely deserved.

"They have such bright futures ahead of them and it has been a pleasure to see them grow and flourish during their time at our academy."

There were also celebrations at Colton Hills Community School in Wolverhampton where there was a 100 per cent pass rate in a number of A-level subjects.

These included art, English literature, history, physics and sociology.

The same pass rate was also achieved in BTEC subjects including business, e-sports, health and social care and IT.

At The Royal School in Wolverhampton, the majority of students have landed a place at their first-choice universities after securing the grades they had hoped for in their A-level and BTEC studies.

A total of 37 per cent of pupils at the school achieved at least an A/A* or distinction/distinction*.

Students at Amethyst Sixth in Codsall, which is a joint Sixth Form between Aldersley High School and Moreton School, were also celebrating their achievements.

Particularly strong results were achieved in subjects including business studies, sport, health and social care, childcare and ICT.

There were improvements meanwhile at Wednesfield Academy where A-level results were on average more than a grade higher than the previous years.

Among the students at the school celebrating their results was Archie Wilkinson, who has landed a place at the University of Oxford to study Experimental Psychology.

Archie, who is from Willenhall, said: "Some people might think they are held back by where they are from and who they are but I kept thinking 'How cool would it be if I did go?'.

"You have got to live your life based on what you find cool, not what's cool to everyone else. There's nothing wrong with being a nerd - embrace it. Be unafraid to be you and put yourself out there."

Celebrations were also had at St Edmund's Catholic Academy near Compton Park, Wolverhampton.

Among the students who achieved top grades at the school were Christina Agbasoga and Lamic Haile, who both landed three A grades and Christopher Edobor, who took home A*AA.

Hard work also paid off for sixth formers at Tettenhall College in Wolverhampton, which saw an increase in top grades from last year.

Half of the results achieved by students were A* to B, with 29 per cent at A* to A and more than 70 per cent at A* to C.

Headmaster Mr McAllister said: "This year’s results are a testament to the hard work and perseverance of our pupils, supported by our exceptional teaching staff.

"We are incredibly proud of their achievements, particularly in the face of the challenges presented over the last few years."

At Ormiston New Academy in Wolverhampton, students achieved a 99 per cent pass rate, with 31 per cent of the grades at distinction or distinction* levels for BTEC.

A-level pupils excelled in particular in computer science and maths, where 100 per cent of them achieved a pass and more than half of the grades were B or above.

Wolverhampton Girls' High School said students have achieved outstanding A-level results, with 45 per cent having been awarded an A or A*.

There were tears of joy at St Peter's Collegiate Academy in Wolverhampton, where a number of students achieved places at top universities.

At Central Saint Michael's Sixth Form in West Bromwich, there was a 99 per cent pass rate in all A-level subjects, while 28 subjects and qualifications including chemistry, economics, art, and politics secured a 100 per cent pass rate.

Principal Dr Matt Lamb said: "I would like to congratulate our A-level and BTEC students for securing such fantastic results.

"It is reflective of their hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to their studies, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements."

Students and staff at Shireland Biomedical UTC, a heath science college in West Bromwich, have also celebrated A-level success.

A total of 96 per cent of students achieved three or more passes at grades A* to E.

There was also an 100 per cent pass rate in subjects including biology, English Literature, maths, sociology, psychology, Italian and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Those studying BTEC subjects also had cause to celebrate, with students taking applied science achieving 100 per cent distinction* grades.

Celebrations were further in order at Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick, where 97 per cent of students achieved a pass rate at grades A to C, with 20 per cent landing A* or A grades.

At Gospel Oak School in Tipton, there were "significantly improved" results from pupils this year.

Keira Handyside was among those at the Bilston Road school who took home top grades, having achieved an A* in criminology, an A in religious studies and a B in history.

Students at Ormiston Shelfield Academy in Walsall also had success today, with many landing a spot at their chosen universities, while others will start apprenticeships and jobs.

Youngsters at the school performed especially well in A-level sociology and history as well as BTEC business and computer science.

There was also success at Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury where most students secured a place at their first-choice university or higher level apprenticeships.

At King Edward VI College in Stourbridge there was a 99.3 per cent across all of the 3305 exams, with almost 2000 high grades at A* to B awarded at A-level.

Meanwhile, 100 per cent of students studying dance, drama, music and textiles achieved A* to C grades.

Principal Holly Bembridge said: "I am so proud of the focus and commitment shown by students and the way that teachers and all staff have supported them every step of the way."

There was also plenty to celebrate at Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath, with many achieving grades which have allowed them to take the next step.

For 77 per cent of sixth form-leavers at the school, this will mean starting university whilst the remaining 23 per cent have secured apprenticeships or employment offers.

Dudley Sixth College students celebrated a 100 per cent overall pass rate in 26 of the 32 A-level subjects offered at the college.

At Lichfield Cathedral School, students maintained a 100 per cent pass rate.

Across all A-level subjects, 89 per cent of the grades were A* to C, with 33 per cent of grades A* to A.

Headteacher Sue Hannam said: "I am incredibly proud of this outstanding group of students who have demonstrated resilience, determination and generous hearts throughout Sixth Form."

At Stourport High School and Vlth Sixth Form College in Stourport-on-Severn, there was an overall pass rate topping 95 cent.

All those at the school who applied to university meanwhile achieved a place at their top choice.

Youngsters studying A-level and BTEC subjects at Baxter College in Kidderminster celebrated a pass rate of more than 95 per cent, with 19 of 20 students having gained a spot at their first-choice university.

Headteacher Katie Beech said: “I and all the staff are immensely proud of our students who have worked so hard to achieve their results and we wish them all the very best for the future."

Elsewhere in Kidderminster, there was celebrations among pupils at King Charles I School where more than 50 per cent achieved at least one top A* to B or equivalent grade in their studies.

And at Holy Trinity School in the town, 80 per cent of students landed a spot at their first-choice universities, with 26 per cent achieving A* or A grades.

There was excitement among the students at Invictus Sixth Form in Kinver this morning when they opened their results.

Emily Morgan, director of sixth form at the Kinver school, said: "This year’s results are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience shown by our students.

"These young people have faced unprecedented challenges during their secondary education, and their outstanding results are a reflection of their determination and commitment."

At the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), which has campuses in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Stafford, it was a "record-breaking year" for results.

There was an A-level pass rate of 99.3 per cent, with 61 per cent of A-level entries achieving grades A* to B and 85 per cent landing A* to C.

NSCG also saw an 100 per cent pass rate across its T Level programmes, which offer an alternative to A-levels.

Craig Hodgson, principal and chief executive at the college group said: "It is an absolute pleasure to be able to celebrate the fantastic results of the class of 2024.

"Our students consistently demonstrate passion, hard work and determination and because of this, they have secured the results that they richly deserve."

At Stafford Grammar School meanwhile, there was an 100 per cent pass rate as more than 25 per cent of youngsters achieved A* and A grades.

Headmaster Nicholas Pietrek said: “I am delighted with the achievements of our sixth form pupils in their A-levels and indeed the whole school over the course of this past year."

Cheslyn Hay Academy and Great Wyrley Academy near Cannock said it has had another strong year of results, with a number of pupils landing places at red brick universities.

Among them is Nicole Ingles, who took home two A* grades in chemistry and maths and an A in biology, with plans to study Chemistry at University of Leeds.