Congratulations to all GCSE and A-level students

I want to pass on my congratulations to all those students in St. Helens who have received their GCSE or A-level results this summer.

I’m delighted with the performance of the students in our high schools and colleges.

For A-levels, the pass rate in our town has risen to 97.7 per cent, which is half a percent better than the national average – and 2.2 per cent better than last year.

The story was just as good for GCSE students, where the average 5 A*-C pass rate increased by over 4% to an all-time high of 67.3 per cent.

These results are great news and are a testament to the continued hard work of students, as well as the teachers and parents who have supported them.

These results also show the fruit of a decade of Labour’s record investment and policies encouraging more young people to continue and achieve in education.

So well done to all those students receiving their results today. And good luck for whatever comes next – be it further education, higher education, training or work.