Brighton and Hove is outperforming the national average for A-level results for the 11th time and East Sussex students are among the best in the country.
The city’s A-level students have achieved exceptional results once again, with 98.3 per cent of students in Brighton and Hove achieving A*- E and 63.5 per cent achieving A*- B.
Students across the country collected their A-level results this morning, August 15.
The good news continued for students on vocational courses, with 98.4 per cent passing their vocational and technical qualifications.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “I’m delighted that Brighton and Hove’s A-level, T-level and VTQ students have achieved such fantastic results today.
“I’d like to congratulate each and every student in the city who received their results today. Brighton and Hove’s students have once again proven that this is a city where young people can thrive.”
Overall, the proportion of UK entries awarded the top A* grade this year has risen by 0.4 percentage points to 9.3 per cent, compared with 8.9 per cent in 2023, and it is higher than when it stood at 7.7 per cent in 2019.
READ MORE: Live: A-level results day 2024 in Sussex
Excluding 2020-2022, the years of the pandemic, this is the highest proportion of A* grades awarded since they were first handed out in 2010.
But the overall pass rate – the proportion of entries graded A* to E – has fallen to 97.2% this year, which is lower than last year (97.3%) and the pre-pandemic year of 2019 (97.6%).
East Sussex was third out of all the counties in England.
Of the 12,590 results released, 34.4 percent were A*- As, meaning the county jumped from its sixth place position from last year.
In West Sussex, however, results dropped slightly from last year, with 24.9 percent receiving A*- A grades compared to 25.9 percent in 2023.
The Argus has visited colleges to speak to students about their results and next steps.
At Varndean College, students achieved a 98 per cent pass rate, with over half securing A*- B grades.
Varndean student Josh Buckland is off to the USA after securing an A in 3-D Design, a B in Business and a C in PE.
Josh was awarded a full academic scholarship to Virginia Wesleyan University, with hopes to become a tennis pro.
He said: “I did not expect to get a scholarship to the US at all after the year I had, but it's great. I can't wait to play tennis, I love Djokovic, controversial I know.
“I’m studying business at the university."
Arwen Weston, at Varndean, said: "I'm so glad with my results, I was so nervous for the last few weeks. It's so great to be able to study product design at my first-choice university too."
Arwen received an A* in Art, an A in Sociology and an A in 3-D Design.
She is going to study Product Design at Falmouth University in Cornwall.
Still at Varndean, Issac Wood from Hove received a distinction, two As and a C.
He added: "I couldn't sleep last night, it was just so nerve-racking. But I got my predicted results and I'm happy to go to my first choice university in Lancaster to study business management.
“I chose it as I can go hiking in the Peak District."
Varndean student Sorin Hickinbottom from Brighton overcame adversity during his studies and achieved two As and a B.
He said: "The first year was quite difficult for me, so to get the results today is massive. Once I settled I was on fire for the second year."
Sorin will be studying Chemistry at Bristol University.
Principal Donna-Marie Janson expressed immense pride in the students’ achievements, stating: “We are incredibly proud of our wonderful students and their outstanding exam results this year.
"Their achievements are a shining example of their hard work, resilience, unwavering determination and talent. Our staff have worked tirelessly to support and inspire them, and today we celebrate their well-earned success.
"I would like to thank every one of them for their incredible dedication, hard work, and commitment. Together, we’ve created an environment where our students thrive, making Varndean College the exceptional place it is. I am confident that this success will inspire even greater accomplishments in the future. Congratulations to all our amazing students - you have truly earned this moment.”
At Bhasvic in Dyke Road, students were welcomed by the principal for a thank you event.
Guests were hand-picked by teachers for their exceptional efforts and contributions to the college, such as club leaders and high fliers.
Oliver Turner, 17, got an A in English combined, an A in sociology, and a distinction * in creative media production BTEC.
He is taking a gap year and getting some work experience in the media industry and wants to get into post-production TV and editing.
“I was somewhat expecting the grades but it was a pretty sleepless night," he said.
"It feels like it’s gone by so quickly but by the end of the two years I’m quite ready to start something new.”
Still at Bhasvic, Tia Hand, 18, got an A* in media studies, an A in sociology and distinction* in creative media production BTEC.
She is taking a year off and then would like to work in the movie industry.
“I was definitely pleasantly surprised," she said.
"I was feeling a bit nervous but relieved now. For my year off I’m mostly travelling and would like to do some work experience in the film industry to build up my CV."
Daniel Nicholls, 18, achieved an A* in Business, an A in Mathematics and an A in Economics.
He said: "I'm excited to move on. It's sad but you have to move on and continue learning. All my family are very mathematically orientated."
Daniel is set to study Economics and Finance at the University of Sussex.
Bhasvic student Nancy Davies, 18, got B in sociology, B in English combined and an A* in her Extended Project Qualification.
She is going to the University of West England to do Creative and Professional Writing.
“I want to be an author and do some writing to be a disability advocate to see more representation in characters," she said.
"I started to write because I couldn’t run around and do normal stuff when growing up so I read loads of books and read life through books. I wanted to be the person to write that, words help me understand the world a bit more.”
She has hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Rae Tumanov, 18, got a B in psychology, an A in religious studies and a B in politics. Rae will be going to the University of Sussex to study psychology.
Addressing the students at the event, principal William Baldwin said: “There’s lots of happy people out there but for me it’s more about how has your college experience been which is why we’ve invited you here. You’re the people who made Bhasvic.
"A massive thank you from me for getting involved in the college experience and making the most of your time here. Think back to two years ago - you hadn’t even started your Bhasvic journey here.
"You were the first cohort to have done GCSE exams after Covid. You’ve come into college on the back foot, having had to do full A-Levels and you’ve absolutely excelled and shown how brilliant you are.
"It’s not all about how many A*s you’ve got. For me, your results don’t define your humanity. Party but stay safe."
The college also boasts a pass rate of 99 percent, while 70 percent of students received A*- B grades.
Over at Newman College, we spoke to a group of students who shared their results.
Friends Niamh and Rocco at Newman are off to the University of Bristol together. Niamh is doing physics and Rocco is doing maths engineering.
Niamh Marquess-Bowler, 18, received maths A*, further maths A*, and physics A.
She told The Argus: “I am really excited. We haven’t found out where we’re living yet but it’s very exciting, especially for meeting new people, and I hear they have really good societies there.”
Rocco Di Riemzo, 18, did maths, further maths, and computer science and achieved As in all of them. He said: “I was very nervous this morning. You never want to jinx it, I was just a bit stressed to be honest.”
Iona Fuhrmann, 17, achieved three A*s in chemistry, biology and maths. She is off to Oxford to study medicine in September.
Iona said: "I was very nervous this morning because I needed to get three A*s. I was very shocked that I managed to get them and very relieved.
"I am very very excited. I have wanted to do medicine for four years."
Newman College shared that 98 percent of its students passed this year.
Ms Claire Jarman, principal of the college, said: "We have to remember that this cohort had an interrupted school experience and have demonstrated tenacity, resilience and effort to overcome these barriers and achieve these results.
"I want to thank them, their families and our amazing and hardworking staff for such fantastic teamwork. Their school and college years have been anything but smooth but have been navigated with strength and determination.
"Some of them have been with us for seven years, and others joined the college for a two year Newman journey. We wish all of our students the very best for their next chapters.
"For many of them this will include taking up places at university, while others will be embarking on apprenticeships and others taking routes directly into the world of work. Whatever their next steps, we want them to buckle up, hold tight and enjoy."
Support is also available for students who need advice or help. Brighton and Hove students can contact the council’s youth employability service to speak to an adviser.
Resources are also available on the West Sussex County Council website.
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