ESSEX County Council is congratulating the county’s A-Level students after they received their exam results today. (Thursday, August 16).

About 4,500 students took exams at the county’s schools this year and initial data shows Essex results overall have improved with 98 percent of students achieving a pass awarded A*- E – which is higher than the national average of 97.6 percent.

77 percent of the grades awarded in Essex were A*-C, while 26 percent of grades awarded were A*- A.

Students also performed well in vocational level 3 subjects, with 95 percent achieving at least passes including distinctions.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “We are committed to ensuring young people in Essex get the best possible education and I am delighted to hear that the county’s students have again achieved some fantastic results.

“A lot of hard work, dedication and commitment goes into studying for the exams and I am pleased that effort has been rewarded. Congratulations to everyone who collected their results today and best of luck for the future, whatever that may hold.”