A HOST of A-level students are heading to some of the country’s top universities and colleges after scoring superb grades in this year’s exams.

Once again Carmel College produced plenty of success stories, with six students securing places at Oxbridge and another eight taking spots on medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses And they were matched by outstanding performances in the borough’s school sixth forms, where a clutch of straight A students will be heading to leading universities.

Students who opted for a different route by taking vocational diplomas at their sixth forms or St Helens College, also shone brightly.

One example was Cowley’s Nicole Fagan, who achieved five distinction stars and is set to study musical theatre at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester.

College students who chose the work-related study route will now enter the jobs market or seek to secure an apprenticeship.

Overall St Helens Council – whose new leader Barrie Grunewald is making education and tackling underachievement a priority - said the provisional A-E pass rate for St Helens was 98 per cent, marginally beneath the national average, although it did not release the A-C scores.

Education bosses also pointed to improved pass rates at Hope and Sutton Academy, with increases of 5.5 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively.

Rainhill High School, which saw 83.3 per cent of students gain A*-C grades and nearly 50 per cent of A*-B was singled out for praise.

They also acknowledged successes in BTEcs, vocational courses and the International Baccalaureate.

A council spokeswoman said: “First indications for these A Level equivalent qualifications are very promising and an improvement on last year in all schools, academies and colleges.

Councillor Sue Murphy, cabinet member for schools, said: “We hear that A levels are increasingly becoming more difficult yet our students continue to do very well.

“This is as a result of the hard work of staff and students in our schools, academies and colleges.

“I would like to congratulate all the young people on their results and wish them well for their future.