A-level joy as pupils get top marks

Schools minister David Miliband condemned the "national disease" of talking down the achievements.

But it emerged today that the Government might decide to replace A-levels with a more demanding qualification.

Mr Miliband has signalled that the Government is ready to require academic high fliers to write a university-style essay.

Today's results revealed another record year for A-level passes - up to 96 per cent - and for passes at the top grade.

Tallies of four, five and even six or more As were notched up in state and private schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In the Black Country teenagers were celebrating as they reaped the rewards of their hard work.

The Royal Wolverhampton School smashed all previous records, with 62.5 per cent of pupils securing A or B at A2 level and with an A-E score of 100 per cent.

Euphoria filled the air after scores of students at Wolverhampton Grammar School lined up from 8am with their fingers crossed for the grades they needed.

There was delight at Queen Mary's High School for Girls in Walsall with news that the pass rate had shot up by a staggering 11 per cent over last year, and around 70 per cent of pupils achieved the top A and B grades.

Pupils at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge broke previous records with a pass rate for all A-level subjects of 98.7 per cent.

The exceptional trend continued at Halesowen College where principal Keith Bate revealed 12 subjects had seen a maximum 100 per cent pass rate.

Among those celebrating were three sisters who became the first set of triplets to win places at Cambridge University after each gaining three A grades.

Lil, Helen and Kate Armstrong, aged 18, live in Truro, Cornwall.