Pupil across Oxford picked up their eagerly awaited A-level results yesterday as the results fell from 2022 across the UK.

However, the grades still remain above pre-pandemic levels, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have said.

Oxford Spires Academy said they saw a number of results among the highest grades A* to B increase significantly.

The highest performing subject was further maths with 60 per cent of grades at A* to A and 80 per cent at A* to  B.

In addition, more than 60 per cent of students achieved the highest grades A* to B in physics, history, maths, philosophy and ethics, French, chemistry and design technology.

Head of the school’s sixth form, Mike Loftus said: “This is a highly impressive set of results from our students, in what, it must be remembered, is their first set of public exams.

“They have shown themselves and the wider world what they are capable of and should be immensely proud of themselves."

The City of Oxford College and University Centre maintained a 95 per cent pass rate across all A-level subjects compared to last year, with A* to C pass rates increased by 42 per cent since pre-pandemic year 2018/19.

Callum Bennett was one of the college’s top performers, achieving an A grade in English Literature, an A grade in Religious Studies and a B in Psychology.

He will now take up an offer from his first choice university, the University of Essex, to study Modern Languages.

Callum said: “I was quite nervous, but I’m really pleased with my results and am looking forward to going to university.”

Wychwood School saw 87 per cent of grades awarded at A* to C and 31 per cent of these are at A* to A.

Headteacher, Mrs Evans said: “They have achieved outstanding A-level results and we are immensely proud not only of their academic achievements but also of how they have triumphed in all aspects of their lives during their time at Wychwood.

“Each and every individual has contributed greatly to our school community, and we wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their educational journey. We have no doubt that they will make their mark and excel in all that they do”.

At Oxford High School, 84 per cent of pupils were graded A* to B with 37 per cent of pupils awarded three or more As and A*s.

All students who undertook A Levels in Computing, French, Russian and Geography gained As and A*s.

Rachael Pallas Brown, the school's director of sixth form said: “Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, their A-levels were the first formal examinations they had undertaken and they took on that challenge, thanks to their resilience and support of each other."

Marina Gardiner Legge, head of Oxford High School, said: “These results are a testament to the support, opportunities, and experiences we offer to the bright and the ambitious.

"I am so grateful to all our staff, our parents and everyone in our community who has worked so hard to support them.

"This year group has faced such challenges in their education, more than many generations before them. They are an excellent group of leaders, who worked hard, expanded their horizons and supported the whole student body in emerging into a complex but navigable world.

Headington School’s Sixth Form had thirteen girls, more than one in ten of the cohort, who achieved three or more A*s.

Among them was head girl Sophia Brehm, whose three A*s and an A, along with an A* in EPQ secured her place at Cambridge to study history and Spanish.

She said: “I am feeling wonderful. It definitely hasn’t felt real until now.

“I’m excited to start at Cambridge but I am still getting used to the idea but it will be weird not to be here."

Headmistress Mrs Caroline Jordan said: “I am so immensely proud of all our girls who have achieved fantastic results, especially given the disruption they have experienced in the last few years of schooling. I am really excited to see what they will achieve as they pursue such a wide range of interesting, challenging and creative career paths.

“I also have to commend our wonderful teaching staff who have encouraged, inspired and supported these young women to succeed and perform to their best every step of the way."

The Oxford Academy students were also commended for their grades by the school’s chair of governors.

Tony Brett said: “It is wonderful to see our sixth form students supported into the next stage of their lives in so many different and exciting ways. It is a great testament to their own diligence, the skill and dedication of their teachers, and the nurturing support of their families that they have achieved so much success in so many ways. I am proud of them all"