The reformed A levels continued to emphasise increased stretch and challenge; and we are delighted that Merchiston has once again delivered excellence in this new context, going way beyond the national average across the board.

Recognised as the top school in Berkshire and in the top 40 nationally by Government’s new league tables for Sixth Form progress, Leighton Park staff and students already had cause to celebrate the success of their Sixth Form education. Even so, it was a delight to see so many smiling faces on the Park today as excited students grabbed their brollies and braved the downpours to collect their A level results.

Llandovery College is celebrating another set of excellent A level results with an impressive increase in the number of boys and girls achieving A*–A grades.

Haileybury is celebrating a strong set of A level results. Over a fifth of Haileybury A level pupils scored straight A* or A grades; the number of A* grades awarded at A level – 37 in total – is amongst the highest in the school’s history.

U6 girls at ​St Swithun’s again earned successful A-level results, harvesting a strong yield of the top A* grades. Half of the year group achieved at least one A*, with a quarter of the girls earning two or more A* grades, both of which were increases on previous years.

Students at independent all-ability school LVS Ascot celebrated an increase in A* grades amongst their A level results, rising to 5.7% from 4.6% last year. The school’s overall pass rate was 98.3%, surpassing the national average of 97.6%.