Essex County Council is congratulating the county’s sixth form students after they received their results today.

Early indications show that Essex figures have improved across all key measures.

More than 4,000 students were entered in Essex schools, initial results show that of all the grades awarded, 78.3% were A*-C and almost 99% were A*- E.

Of these indicative results, 26.5% gained A*-A grades, compared to national figures of 25.9%.

Around 80% of passes in vocational level 3 subjects were distinctions or better.

Initial figures also suggest that there has been a significant improvement in the average grade per entry for both A level and vocational results.

Today we should all celebrate the excellent achievements of students and teachers across the county and congratulate them on their efforts.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “I am delighted to hear that Essex students have done so well and would like to congratulate all young people receiving their A-Level results today.

"Whatever their plans for the future, I wish them the best of luck.”

“As the local education authority, we are committed to providing the county’s schools with the support needed to give pupils the best possible education and are expecting to see another big rise in the percentage rated as good or outstanding when the latest Ofsted data becomes available.”