A-level results: How Sunderland youngsters performed

• Sunderland College scooped a 99% pass rate for eighth year running.

• Southmoor Academy celebrated a 100% pass rate in its first ever set of A-levels.

• St Aidan’s Catholic Academy had a 68% A*-C grades.

• St Anthony’s Catholic Girl’s Academy saw 44% of students achieve at least one A* of A grade.

• The last set of A-level students at Sunderland High School were successful with a 100% pass rate.

At Sunderland College more than 650 students picked up their A-level results and maintained a 99% per cent pass rate for the eighth year running.

In total, 21 A-level subjects achieved a 100% pass rate including physics, English language and literature, geography, history, media studies and performing arts.

Nigel Harrett, deputy principal at the college, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have maintained our high success rate, because behind each percentage point is a student we have guided to success, a young person who is now set to take their next step on the journey to their career of choice.

“During their time with the college, our teachers get to know the hopes and dreams of each of our students, and all the work they put in is with the goal of guiding them towards realising their ambitions. We are delighted to celebrate their success with them.”

One of the students who made the grade is 18-year-old Owen Underwood, from Barnes.

He is set to study at Cambridge University for a three-year degree in engineering, after achieving two A*s and an A in maths, further maths and physics.

Owen, who will be the first member of his family to go to university, said: “I’ve studied for two years at the college and my main motivation was getting to today, so it feels slightly surreal.”

The former Thornhill School pupil said: “I felt ill waiting for the results, it seemed to take ages, but I was thrilled when they came.”

Fellow high-flier is Michael Brigham, 18, from Seaham who gained two A*s, one A and one B, in biology, maths, chemistry and extended project and will be heading to Leeds University to study microbiology.

He said: “I’m really pleased and so proud of myself for achieving such good results after putting so much hard work in.”

Anna Walton, 18, from Hylton Castle, will be heading to Northumbria University to study maths after gaining A*, A and B in maths, further maths and physics.

She said: “It was really scary waiting for the results, but I am really pleased with them.”

Fellow student, Emma McGrory, 18, from Jarrow, is heading off to Northumbria University to study psychology after clinching an A, 2Bs and a D.

Andrew Morris, head of sixth form at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, said they were pleased with the results, which where about the same as last year.

The school had a pass rate of 96% and 68% of grades were at A*-C.

Mr Morris said: “We have a lot of very happy lads going away today, which is what it is all about.”

There were some outstanding successes at the Ashbrooke school, including Harry Maughan, 19, from Tunstall who clinched four A* grades in biology, chemistry, physics and maths and is heading to Cambridge to study medicine.

William Blakett, 18, got three As and one B and plans to study history at university.

Matthew Morrell, 18, from Tunstall, is going to Sheffield University to study medicine after gaining one A* and two As.

And, also planning to study medicine or biomedicine is Philip Leroy, 18, from Barnes, who clinched one A and two Bs.