IT has been another year of success stories for students in and around Malvern and Ledbury as the A level results come out.

The national average for A-level pass rate (grades A*-E) is 98.1 per cent.

The proportion of students offered the coveted A* and A grades in the UK dropped slightly, from 25.9 per cent in 2015 to 25.8 per cent this year.

Meanwhile, early Ucas figures show a record number of almost 424,000 A-levels students have been placed in UK higher education as of midnight - up three per cent on last year.

Sixth formers at the Chase are celebrating another year of successful, with 83 per cent of students getting three grades A*-E.

Head Richard Jacobs said: “We are thrilled that once again the hard work of our students and staff has been rewarded with such great results. We are especially pleased that almost all of our students secured the university places they wanted and can follow their dreams.”

Students Joseph Mead, Danielle Dean, Frederick Wolff and Kyra Birkett all secured places at Oxford or Cambridge.

At Dyson Perrins, students were celebrating a pass rate of 98 per cent.

Among exceptional performers were Leah Daly who will read physics at Lancaster University, Dom Jolley who will study mechanics at Sheffield and Matt Thompson who will study journalism at the University of the West of England.

Head of sixth form Claire Watson said: "The results the students have gained are due to the hard work and excellent attitudes they have demonstrated. I am delighted with the results this year and especially pleased with the places they have gained both at universities and in apprenticeships.”

And at Hanley Castle, a third of all passes were at A* or A, ensuring a record number of students have secured places at Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group universities.

Star performers included Will Carter with three A* grades in chemistry, mathematics and physics, with an A in further mathematics. He is now off to Exeter University for a master’s degree in physics.

Jai Bolton achieved two A* grades in biology and geography, as well as an A in chemistry and an A* for his extended project, and is off to Somerville College, Oxford, to study biological sciences.

Katy Husband, who achieved an A* in English Literature and As in history and economics, will go to Balliol College, Oxford. Olivia Clutterbuck also gained an A* and two A grades and will take up her place at University College, Durham, where she will be studying geography.

Rosie Grinnell achieved two A* grades and an A and is off to the University of Bath to study sport and exercise science. Also off to Bath is Jon Barnes, who got an A*, an A and a B and will do a degree in civil engineering.

Head Lindsey Cooke said: "I am so excited for our Year 13 leavers. They are a talented, ambitious and dedicated group of students who thoroughly deserve the outstanding academic success they have achieved."

Students at John Masefield High School achieved the best results so far at the Ledbury based academy.

More than two-thirds of entries resulted in B grades or higher, with 83 per cent at least at Grade C, with students progress on their way to top universities, apprenticeship and employment opportunities.

Individual achievers include Max Davis, Alex Haigh, George Richards, Elizabeth Thomas, Isaac George and Beth Hiley.

Head Andy Evans said: "Over the past two years we have worked extremely hard to make our sixth form an even better place to study and learn. These excellent results are extremely well deserved and reflect the tremendous dedication and hard work of students and staff."

At Malvern College, 70 per cent of the subjects taken at A level were graded A* to B.

Local pupil Ben Williams gained 4 A*s and will take up his place at University College, Oxford to read chemistry.

Head Antony Clark said: "I am delighted for our candidates who have achieved such outstanding results."

The overall pass rate at Malvern St James is 99 per cent.

Head girl Elysia Garland from Welland got straight As and is going to Edinboro College in America on a lacrosse scholarship for one year, followed by a place at Exeter University to study geography.

Alex Stephenson from Worcester has won one of only 80 places at Norland College out of 3,000 applicants, to study early years development and learning, while Elle Hatt, from Cotheridge, will study dental surgery at Liverpool.

Head Patricia Woodhouse said,: “We are immensely proud of all our girls and all they have achieved. We wish them every success in all that lies ahead."