Throughout A-Level Results Day, the Thinking Schools Academy Trust will be bringing you the latest updates, success stories, and celebrations from across our schools. Stay tuned as we share real-time highlights, interviews, and insights from our students, staff, and families on this important day.
Blog edited by: Samuel Poole, Marketing and Communications Manager Regional communications updates by: Samantha Rees, South East Comms Lead & Lee Amor, South West Comms Lead Coverage led by: Thinking Creative
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Holcombe Grammar School is celebrating another year of excellent A-level results, with students achieving fantastic outcomes that reflect the school’s high standards and commitment to its Thinking School ethos.
Lee Preston, Headteacher at Holcombe Grammar School said: “We’re delighted with the achievements of our students today. These results reflect the high and consistently rising standards we set as a grammar school, but also the depth of thinking and reflection we encourage through our Thinking School ethos as a proud member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.
"Congratulations to all our students on their fantastic outcomes, we wish you all the best of luck moving forward.”
The Victory Academy community are celebrating a strong set of A-level and Level 3 Vocational results. Headteacher Oliver Owen praised the achievements, saying: “We’re incredibly proud of our students and the fantastic A-Level and Level 3 Vocational results they’ve achieved this year.
"These outcomes are the result of high ambition, consistent hard work and the support of families and friends. Their success also reflects the thoughtful and reflective approach to learning we champion at The Victory Academy, guided daily by our highly skilled staff team. Congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. You should be very proud of your achievements, and we are excited to hear where they will take you next.”
Students at Plymouth High School for Girls are celebrating outstanding A-level results, with many set to take up places at prestigious universities across the country.
Among the standout achievements, Frankie B, Lara B, Abbie S, and Saoirse H have all secured places to study at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.
Lara B said: “I’m really happy and looking forward to going to Oxford to read law.” Abinayah K said: “Really glad to have got into Plymouth to read medicine.” Ho Fay C said: “I can relax now and enjoy the summer, really happy with my results.”
Students and staff at Plympton Academy are celebrating an positive year of A-level results, with top grades soaring and more pupils than ever heading to university.
The percentage of students achieving A* and A grades has trebled, while those securing B grades or above has more than doubled. Standout successes include 66% of Health and Social Care students achieving a distinction, half of Photography students earning an A*/A, and 40% of Mathematics students reaching the top grades.
Toby Lyon said: “I am ecstatic with my results, especially the A in Photography. I am looking forward to moving to Exeter to continue my studies and starting the next chapter in my life.”
Students at Goodwin Academy are celebrating outstanding A-level results today, with many already looking forward to the next steps in their education and careers.
Chloe Desiderio said: “I have taken my level 1 assistant coaching course in May and I’m currently doing my Level 2 Coaching course through the institute of Swim England. I am very happy with my sport and history grades, as it will help me with my future career.”
Kyle Davies said: “I can’t wait to start pursuing my future career as a primary school teacher. A combination of both my academic effort and the support from the staff at Goodwin Academy has allowed me to succeed in sixth form, enabling me to get the grades I need for my first choice university.”
Rafael Lopez said: “I’m ready and excited to continue studying history at a higher level and to learn as much as I can about it.”
Mia Robinson said: “I cannot wait to start my university studies to become a mental health nurse. The help of my teachers at Goodwin Academy has enabled me to grow both personally and academically, leading to my success.”
Today is a day of celebration for many, but it’s important to remember that grades don’t define your future. As TikTok influencer Max Balegde shared in his message to students: “Even if you don’t do well, it is not the end of the world.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also offered encouragement, saying: “Whatever the outcome, if you’ve worked hard, you should be proud… I want all young people to have the opportunity to realise their ambition, and get the skills they need to thrive.”
Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch added: “If you’re not celebrating right now, don’t lose heart. Remember, your results don’t decide your future, you do… What matters most next? Your attitude, your choices, your determination.”
Whether today brought the results you dreamed of or a different path than expected, there are many ways to succeed. This is just one step on a much bigger journey.
There were emotional scenes at Brixham College today as students opened their A Level results, marking the end of one journey and the start of many new ones.
Tamzin Easton was overjoyed with her outcome, saying: “Thank you – I can’t believe it! I’m going to do Economics at Exeter University. I just want to know how my friends got on now.”
Helen Geare echoed the excitement with: “Oh my god! I can’t believe it. I got AAB.”
Erin Quigley, who is planning a gap year, said: “I’m really buzzing about my grades, I wasn’t expecting to do so well. AAB means I can think about university after my gap year. Thank you for all the support particularly from my parents and teachers.”
Sonny Reardon and Sophie Connolly shared the relief felt by many: “I feel relieved and it’s all over. Thanks to everyone for believing in me. Now I’m off to York to study History. I’m just so relieved I did well, it’s hard work but worth it.”
These reflections capture the pride, determination and future focus that define the Brixham College experience.
Students at Rochester Grammar School are celebrating outstanding International Baccalaureate (IB) results, with an average point score of 35 and 17% of the cohort achieving over 40 points – significantly above the global average of 30.58.
Principal Clare Brinklow said: "I’m so proud of the achievements our students are celebrating today. Their results reflect not just academic excellence, but the resilience and character they’ve developed during their time with us."
"It’s been a privilege to see them grow into confident, thoughtful young people who are ready to take on the next stage of their journey and I know they’ll continue to thrive."
This year’s leavers are now preparing to join top universities across the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Durham, and Warwick. They will study a wide range of disciplines, from History and Law to Medicine and Data Science.
Among the standout achievements:
These outcomes highlight the academic ambition and future-focused support that define the Rochester Grammar School experience.
This year’s national A-level results show a continued upward trend in top grades, with 28.3% of all entries awarded an A or A* – the highest proportion recorded outside of the pandemic years. A* grades rose slightly to 9.4%, continuing the steady post-pandemic climb in academic achievement.
In total, 77.9% of entries achieved grade C or above – a strong increase from last year and a clear step above pre-pandemic levels. The overall pass rate (grades A* to E) reached 97.5%.
There remains a notable regional divide in outcomes. London recorded the highest proportion of A or A* grades at 32.1%, while the North East saw the lowest at 22.9%. The resulting 9.2 percentage point gap is the widest since the current grading system began in 2010.
Maths continues to be the most popular A-level subject for the twelfth consecutive year, with 112,138 entries. Psychology and biology follow in second and third place, respectively, though both saw a decline in entry numbers. Business studies entered the top five subjects for the first time, overtaking history, which fell to seventh place.
For the first time since 2018, boys have overtaken girls in the top grades. This year, 28.4% of boys’ entries were awarded an A or A*, compared with 28.2% for girls. At A*, the gap widens further: 9.9% for boys versus 9.1% for girls.
In total, 882,509 A-levels were awarded this year – a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to 2024.
Good morning from the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, where schools from across our regions will soon open for students to collect their A-Level results. Throughout today, we will be bringing you pictures and reaction from across our schools right here. Good luck to everyone collecting their results.