Lift New Rickstones students celebrate A-level and vocational results

Students across England celebrated significant achievements in A-level and vocational qualifications on 13 August 2026, with schools and colleges highlighting the resilience and academic success of their graduates. From the North East to Cambridgeshire and Cumbria, young people received results that opened pathways to higher education, apprenticeships, and careers, reflecting a year of dedicated effort and institutional support.

At Lift New Rickstones in Braintree, students like Renee Whitson-Bell, who earned A grades in English literature and sociology, and Charlie Newley, who secured a Distinction* in sport, celebrated their successes. Principal Karen Jones praised the “high ambition, incredible resilience, and outstanding work ethic” of the cohort, noting that most graduates would pursue university, higher apprenticeships, or employment. The school’s emphasis on revision sessions, pastoral care, and small-group teaching played a role in many students’ achievements, including Jess Bayley’s economics management placement at the University of Essex and Ciara Kennedy’s psychology course at the same institution.

In the North East, St Mary’s Catholic School in Newcastle saw over 20 students secure at least three A/A* or Distinction/Distinction* grades. Eddie Seery, an A* performer in Economics, History, and Spanish, will study History and Spanish at the University of Oxford, while the Royal Grammar School Newcastle recorded its strongest STEM results, with 41% of A-levels awarded A*. Fleur Wilson, set to study Medicine at the University of Glasgow, and Asshi Siddiqui, celebrating her Media Studies A/B with her daughter, exemplified the region’s broader success. The school’s 90% A*-B grade rate underscored a trend of rising academic standards.

Cambridge’s St Mary’s School achieved a 100% A*-B pass rate across 12 A-level subjects, including Latin, French, and Mandarin. Over 73% of grades were A*-B, with two students earning A*A*A* along with an A* in their Extended Project Qualification. The school’s head, Hannah Helliar, highlighted the “dedication and intellectual curiosity” of its students, many of whom will attend universities such as Cambridge, St Andrews, and UCL. Poppy, a law student at Cambridge, credited her teachers for “giving [her] the tools to handle what comes next,” while Leonie, heading to Sheffield to study history, praised the supportive sixth-form community.

In Barrow, Furness College and Barrow Sixth Form reported strong pass rates, with 89% of A-levels and 87% of T-levels passing. T-level students like Aimee Johnson, who will study primary education at the University of Cumbria, and health students Tilley Pooley and Millie Kneale, set to train as nurses, emphasized the value of combining academic study with workplace experience. Al Sarker, who secured a degree apprenticeship in aerospace, noted the “helpful staff” and “supportive tutors” that aided his journey. Alun Francis, CEO of B&FC Group, highlighted the growing popularity of T-levels, which offer “meaningful workplace experience” alongside academic rigor.

The celebrations underscored the diverse routes available to students, from traditional university pathways to vocational training. At Lift New Rickstones, Gemma Frost of Lift Schools noted that “there is no single route to success,” while Rebecca Boomer-Clark, chief executive of Lift Schools, emphasized the importance of “confidence to follow the pathway that is right for them.” Across regions, educators and students alike reflected on the role of mentorship, resources, and personal determination in achieving these milestones.

As graduates prepare for their next steps, the 2026 results day marked a moment of collective pride for schools, families, and communities. From the North East’s STEM breakthroughs to Cambridge’s academic excellence and Cumbria’s vocational achievements, the day highlighted the enduring value of education in shaping futures.