Provisional figures show that at least 98.2 percent of pupils who collected their exam results, passed. Figures are expected to rise once they are completed.

Whickham’s Ben Watson is the British Schools under 19 boys champion for trampolining and competes as a grade two bouncer on the national circuit. He was delighted today to get four A-levels - B in Economics, A in Business, A in ICT and C in AS English Language.

He said, “These grades mean I will get into Liverpool University to study Business AND be able to live and study in a city that is home to the best trampolining clubs in the country.” Ben honed his skills in trampolining at Whickham Comprehensive where it is one of the extra curricular activities on offer to students as part of the school’s sports college. The school has teams competing nationally on a regular basis.

Cabinet member for children and young people at Gateshead Council, Councillor Catherine Donovan said: “Early indications are that this year’s pupils have maintained the high standards of A-level and equivalent education set last year and we would like to congratulate them on all their hard work and thank schools staff and governors for their commitment. An increasing number of young people in Gateshead have completed post 16 education in school sixth forms this year and nearly everyone has passed their courses.

“A-levels education is a crucial stepping stone for young people moving onto higher things. These young people are our future workforce and their achievements today will help to guarantee the future prosperity of Gateshead and the wider region.”

The headteachers said:

Whickham Comprehensive School - Pass rate 98%

Headteacher Neil Morrison said, “I am particularly pleased with our successes in Maths, Physics and Chemistry this year. There is a national focus on improving results in these three subject so it is encouraging to see pupils doing well in these areas. We offer a wide curriculum of subjects at Whickham to enable our pupils to study what they need for their next steps and the first indications are that most of our pupils have got into the universities they wanted to.”

Edmund Campion - Pass rate 100%

Headteacher at Edmund Campion, Nick Hurn, said, “We are thrilled with this year’s A-level results. This is the first time we have had a 100 percent pass rate in the school. Our success this year has been built on the work of many years of excellent foundation work put in by staff and pupils.”

Hookergate - Pass rate 94.4 % TBC

Headteacher at Hookergate Peter Crabtree said, “Our pupils A-level results are very much in line with our expectations this year and there were some excellent individual performances. Virtually all our students looking to pursue higher and further education have met the standards they needed to achieve a place. We also introduced an AS Level in Media Studies and are pleased that everyone who took it passed.”

Ryton - Pass rate100 % TBC

Steph Howarth, headteacher at Ryton Comprehensive, said, “I am delighted with the A level and AS examination results for our Sixth Form students this year. The number of A&B grades is high and overall the students have achieved the grades needed for their chosen university courses. Some individuals have done exceptionally well gaining 3 or 4 straight A grades.The Mathematics department has achieved outstanding results 7 students gaining A grades and 3 B grades out of 15 A level candidates. Once again a year group to be proud of. We wish all our students the best in their future careers."

Heworth Grange - Pass rate 97.6%

Headteacher at Heworth Grange Comprehensive, Harrison Huddart, said, “These are outstanding results which reflect the hard work and talents of our pupils and staff. Our young people have every right to feel proud of their achievements - these are Heworth Grange’s best A-level results to date.”

St Thomas More - Pass rate 100%

Headteacher, Jonathan Parkinson, said, “Another year of excellent results which are a fitting reward for the hard work put in by the students and their teachers. We wish the students every success for the future."

The pupils said:

Whickham Comprehensive

Pupils Sarah Harvey and Andrew Lancaster both got the grades they needed for Oxford.

Sarah Harvey, from Whickham, got four As in Economics, Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry after scoring seven A*s and four As at GCSE two years ago. She leaves for Balliol at Oxford next month to study Economics and Management. She said, “I did work hard over the last two years and I feel really relieved and happy that I got what I need.”

Andrew Lancaster, aged 18, achieved four A’s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry and will be going to Balliol College, Oxford to study Physics. “I definitely wouldn’t have got the grades I did without the help of my teachers. My physics teachers in particular were brilliant - all three of them are really enthusiastic and they made the subject really interesting, which kept us all motivated. It’s basically down to them I’ve chosen to pursue it at degree level too.”

Head girl at Whickham, Jessica Hood got two Bs and a C in Business, Food Technology and History and is now set to leave her friends behind in the North East to study hospitality management at Sheffield Hallam University. She said, “I really enjoyed sixth form but I’m going to miss my friends.”

Head-boy David Beasley, also 18, is heading north to Glasgow University to study hotel and hospitality management after getting grades BBC in Business Studies, Food Technology and Economics. But celebrating his achievement is the last thing on his mind. “I play in the North Tyneside steel band and we’re off to Land’s End first thing in the morning for a buskathon which will take us all the way to John O’Groat’s. Ten of us are playing in 9 major venues in ten days to raise money for a new mini bus and trailer for the band, so it’s going to be hard work but a lot of fun.”

18 year old Sarah Norman from Rowlands Gill will be staying at home for further studies. She got three A’s in English Literature, English Language and History and has chosen to study English Literature and English Language at Newcastle University. “Newcastle has a really good course which is the main reason for not going away, but also financially, it was just going to be too expensive. I was a bit worried I wouldn’t get the grades, but obviously I’m really pleased with straight A’s! My English Literature teacher Mr Elsdon was brilliant and extremely supportive which definitely helped me focus on doing well.”

Despite getting 4 straight A’s in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology, Sharon Brown was phoning round several universities trying to get a place to study veterinary medicine. “I could only apply for 4 which I did, but I didn’t get offers from any of them which was a bit disappointing. This morning I called Edinburgh and Glasgow and they’re going to let me know later if they have a place for me. If not, then I’ll take a gap year and go to college to take a diploma in large animals and then reapply for next year.”

Edmund Campion

Pupils at Edmund Campion all passed their A-levels this year and many of them have decided to stay in the North East to study further. Some of them have taken part in a Partners Project with Newcastle University to help them achieve the grades they needed to meet the course requirements.

Marc Hurst from Wrekenton was bubbling with excitement at having gotten two Bs and one C. He is now planning to study mechanical engineering at Newcastle University so that he can be as close as possible to Newcastle United Football Club. He said, “The teachers here were great and my teacher Mr Heron did the exact same course that I am going to do so I know it will be good. The mechanical engineering course looks great for boys who like toys and the machinery they have there is great. Ultimately I’d really like to come back here as a teacher one day. Me and my friends know what difference a good teacher can make to getting good grades and I’ve already had a go teaching year nine pupils as part of our enrichment classes.”

Elaine Hargreaves has already wowed Northumbria University with her art and design skills and was offered an unconditional place on its fashion course. However she was still pleased to get an A and two Bs in Art, English and Theology. She said, “I’m going out to celebrate tonight and looking forward to starting university.”

Kayleigh Thomas is staying local to study English Literature at Newcastle University. She got two B’s and a C in English Literature, History and English Language. “I’ve had loads of support from the teachers at the school which has helped me achieve my grades to get into Newcastle. My English teacher Mrs Tennant has been brilliant - really supportive and always around for advice.”

James Tennant who’s 18, will be following in his mum’s footsteps and taking up a place on the Ancient History course at Newcastle University after getting two A’s and a B. “Although I took English Literature, English Language and Art for A-level, I’ve always wanted to do Ancient History. I’ve liked it for years, especially the Greeks - my Mum did it, even though she's an English teacher here now, and I guess it’s just rubbed off onto me."

Heworth School

18 year old Alba Griffin from Bill Quay said: “I’m really pleased with my two A’s and a C which means I can go to my chosen university in Manchester. I’m going to carry on with my French and Spanish and who knows where that will take me!”

Kay Hood from Heworth is also travelling south to Manchester. “I’ve done so much better than I expected getting three A’s and a B - I’m really shocked! I was predicted less than that, so I think it spurred me on to achieve more.”

18 year old Rachel Brown from Wardley was the only Sixth Form pupil at Heworth to take all three science subjects at A-level and gained two A’s and a B. “I’ve always wanted to get in to obstetrics or gynaecology as a career and so I’m going to do medicine at Edinburgh University. I don’t think I’ll be back down here much - only to get stocks of food!”