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13
Aug
Students collect A-level results across the Harrogate district
Students across the Harrogate district collected their A-level results today.
Final marks for A-levels, as well as B-Tecs and T-levels, were released to students at 8am today following exams in May and June.
The Stray Ferret provided live coverage throughout today as results came in. You recap on the results below.
3pm: Ashville sends students around the world
Pupils from independent school Ashville, in Harrogate, have won places at universities, international institutions and companies across the UK, Europe and the United States following their A Level results.
The Class of 2026 is taking up a diverse range of higher education opportunities, from medicine to ancient history, and coveted apprenticeships, including Ernst & Young, after securing their destinations of choice.
Ashville pupils will be taking up opportunities across the UK and beyond.
Head of Ashville Rhiannon Wilkinson said the diversity of this year’s destinations highlighted the individuality and ambition of the school’s pupils.
She said:
The opening of their envelopes and emails today has opened up a new and exciting world to explore and put their ‘Ashville’ stamp on.
These global destinations highlight not only academic success but also reflect the broad range of interests and aspirations we offer and encourage at Ashville.
One of the school's success stories is Lennon Marsch, who took all his A Level exams while his father, former Leeds United manager Jesse, was leading Canada as its head coach to a historic finish in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reaching the last 16 for the first time in the nation’s history.
Lennon Marsch.
Lennon is now set to follow in the footsteps of his dad, after securing a place at the University of Bath to study sports management.
2.15pm: Best results in four years at Harrogate Ladies' College
Pupils at Harrogate Ladies’ College (Duchy College) are celebrating the school's best A*-A grade percentage in four years and a 100% pass rate.
The school’s A*-B percentage has seen three consecutive years of improvement and two-thirds of pupils this year achieved at least one A* or A grade, the highest figure since 2023.
Students achieved the highest number of A and A* grades in four years.
80% of grades in Maths and Further Maths were A*-A, and 53% of pupils will go on to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) courses, more than double the national average of female applications for STEM subjects in 2025.
Principal Joanna Fox said:
These outstanding A Level results are testament to the work ethic, resilience and determination of our pupils.
I am exceptionally proud of each and every pupil, as completing A Levels is a challenging process which requires high levels of dedication and commitment.
1.46pm: St Aidan's and St John Fisher 'perform above national expectations'
The Associated Sixth Form of St Aidan's and St John Fisher said its students had “performed above national expectations” and “well over 80%” had achieved at least one grade A* to C".
It added more than 95% of students achieved three or more A-Level or equivalent qualifications.
St Aidan's headteacher Siân Dover said this year's results “exceeded our expectations” and St John Fisher headteacher Steve Mort said “today is a day of celebration for our entire associated sixth form community”.
Sian Dover with students
1.21pm: Knaresborough headteacher praises 'fantastic set of results'
More than 50 per cent of pupils at King James's School in Knaresborough achieved an A* to B grade and 90 per cent of those who applied have secured their place at university, North Yorkshire Council has said.
Among the high achievers is Matilda Hartwell, who will be studying history at the University of Warwick having attained an A* in English Literature and As in Art and History.
King James's headteacher Miriam Oakley said:
Congratulations to our students, these are a fantastic set of results and a real testimony to their hard work.
Across the UK, a record number of students have secured a place at their first-choice university, which is a slight increase from last year. In total, 228,990 secured their firm choice and 31,770 got their insurance choice.
King James' Will Kuyateh receives his results.
King James' pupil Matilda Hartwell celebrates.
9.45am: Results are 'only part of' what students have achieved, says Rossett School head
Rossett School’s headteacher, Tim Milburn, has said his school's 2026 results reflected the hard work students had shown throughout their courses, supported by staff, parents and carers.
Rossett School's headteacher praised his students' hard work.
The school has not released details of its students' results, but Mr Milburn said:
Results day is always a special moment, and it has been a privilege to see our students celebrate the rewards of their effort, perseverance and ambition.
While the results collected today are important, they are only part of what our students have achieved. We are equally proud of the character they have shown throughout their time at Rossett School: their maturity, resilience and commitment to doing their best.
Whatever their next step, they leave Rossett with our warmest congratulations and with qualities that will support their future success.
9.35am: Ripon Grammar School reports 'stellar' results
Ripon Grammar School (RGS) is reporting a "stellar" set of A-level results, with eight students scoring an four A*s or more.
More than 70% of all grades achieved at RGS were at A*-B, and more than 40% at A*/A, with the vast majority of students securing their first-choice degree courses.
Top performer Nekha Abraham, 18, achieved a clean sweep of four A* grades plus a fifth A* grade in her extended project qualification (EPQ).
Overall, the school saw its 164 students receive a total of 105 A* grades.
A Ripon Grammar School students finds out the good news.
Headmaster Jonathan Webb said he was "immensely proud" of his students' hard work and dedication, adding:
These results are a wonderful reward for that commitment and the determination, resilience and hard work they have shown throughout their time at Ripon Grammar School.
It is particularly pleasing to see students achieving the very highest grades alongside the many different individual successes across the year group.
We wish them every success as they take their next steps, whether at university or into the world of work.
9.30am: Strong results at Harrogate Grammar School
Neil Renton, headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, said this year’s results were impressive.
This year’s cohort of 294 students achieved 59% of grades at A*-B, whilst more than a quarter of all grades were awarded at the highest grades of A* or A.
The school said that 88% of its students applied to university to study a range of courses including physiotherapy, humanities and law.
Several students have progressed onto degree apprenticeships and successfully gained places at Rolls Royce, BDO, Grant Thornton and RSM.
Mr Renton said:
Today we not only celebrate such impressive results, but also a year group who embraced opportunities, supported one another, and demonstrated the ambition and resilience needed to succeed.
Seeing so many students achieving exceptional outcomes and securing exciting next steps is a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of their families and colleagues at HGS.
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