According to statistics published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), 23.2 per cent of papers were graded A* or A – a rise of 0.6 percentage points in the last 12 months.

Regarding the subjects that caught the students' interest, there was a significant increase in the number of learners taking separate sciences. The entry for physics was up 16.4%, Chemistry 16.2% and Biology 14.2 % taking the subject totals to 140.83, 141,724 and 147, 904 respectively.

These figures mirror the surge in the separate sciences at A-level.

IfL's deputy chief executive, Lee Davies, congratulated the students and encouraged them to consider progressing to Further Education.

"Young people and adults who are about to make decisions about the next step in their learning should know that teachers and trainers in further education and skills are dual professionals, who have experience and expertise in their specialist subject, as well as in delivering high-quality teaching and learning." he said.

Apostolos Kostoulas