OLDHAM Sixth Form College is celebrating its best ever A Level pass rate at 99 per cent - well above the national average.

In addition, a higher number of subjects have a perfect 100 per cent pass rate. The college says it is continuing to build on its "superb record" for A Level studies, with 381 students achieving at least AAA or equivalent.

The college boasts the widest choice of A Levels in the area and a 4 AS Level programme in Year 12, giving students a full external exam experience in their first year, a greater number of qualifications than offered by most sixth form providers and flexibility about subject choices on progression through to Year 13.

Its AS Level pass rate is also the best ever this year.

OSFC students have secured places at Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities and executive principal Jayne Clarke said there were many other "superb outcomes"in both progression to a wide range of universities and to other excellent options including apprenticeships, gap years, art foundation courses and directly into employment.

She said:“We are once again delighted and very proud of our students’ results.

"Students at OSFC have the broadest of choices, make outstanding progress and achieve superb results year on year.

"To have achieved our strongest pass rates in the context of the new tougher A Levels is testament to the hard work and dedication of both the students and our staff, who have supported students wonderfully well.

"We wish all our students the very best of luck on the next steps in their futures, whether this be at university, on an apprenticeship or in employment.”

Oldham Council's cabinet member for education and skills Cllr Shaid Mushtaq said: “We’d like to say congratulations and well done to all our students as they move into higher education or employment.

“I’m very proud of the successes of the ‘2019 Class of Oldham’. Today is the culmination of years of hard work by all our students, teachers, parents, governors and staff.

“Some of our young people may not have achieved the grades they wanted. Please don’t worry as the council, colleges and schools along with our partners are here to help and give support.

“I encourage all those young people to think carefully about their next steps – whether that’s continuing their studies or going into vocational training – but remember that there’s so many opportunities and avenues of support out there.

“Changes to many subjects have been underway since September 2015 and all exams are now taken at the end of the course.

“Different subjects are being updated in different years, with the last set of changes being made this year. In the meantime, comparisons between old and new style A-Levels are difficult to make.

“We must take care when making any comparisons, both with previous years and between subjects and organisations.

“We will be looking at our results closely and comparing these with the regional and national picture before making any assumptions.”