Students all across Swindon received their A-level results with many standouts despite the national pass rate dropping significantly.

Hopeful teenagers in the town found out their grades on Thursday morning after sitting their exams earlier this year with many hoping to attend various universities.

This was the case across the country with students logging into UCAS online as well as turning up at their schools and colleges to receive the results.

After seeing a dramatic rise during the pandemic, the national A-level pass rate has dropped significantly this year with the lowest recorded figure since 2008.

Despite having the lowest pass rate in 15 years, Swindon’s pupils had plenty to cheer about with several pupils achieving top grades across the town.

At the United College Sixth Form at Swindon Academy over 35 per cent of A-level entries achieved grades A*-B and almost 74 per cent of entries achieved grades A* to C.

Of these, Pratiksha achieved two A*s in Biology and Extended Project as well as two As in Psychology and Chemistry.

She has become UCSF’s first student to secure a place studying Medicine at the University of Exeter.

Pratiksha said: “I focused really hard on my aim to become a medic and I always looked to improve after each exam I took.

"I am really pleased to get my place at Exeter.”

The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form also found success with over 80 per cent of the year group head to university.

Of these, Katie Barrett achieved grades of A*, A, A and an A* in the EPQ, securing a place to read Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford University.

Crowds of pupils shared emotional moments at New College, celebrating each other’s success.

More than 60 per cent of Great Western Academy’s students applied to university with 91 per cent of those having gained a place at one of their chosen institutions. 

The academy’s top performer was Xander Moore who gained grades of A*A*AB and will be going on to study Mathematics and Statistics at University of Warwick.

Head of GWA Sixth Form, Dave Smith, said: “We are really pleased with the progress our students have made following their disrupted time at GCSE.

"All of this cohort joined our Sixth Form from other schools and their results add to the very positive contribution they have made to GWA.

"We wish them every success as they move on to universities, apprenticeships, or the world of work.”