Students across Wakefield and the Five Towns celebrate A Level success

Students across the district received their A Level results, after sitting their exams in May.

Local schools celebrated their students’ success as many received the grades they had worked hard for.

Silcoates School, in Wrenthorpe, achieved an ‘excellent’ set of results with a 100 per cent pass rate, 41 per cent of grades awarded at A* to A and 72 per cent at A* to B.

Furthermore, 92 per cent of university applicants have secured a place at their first-choice university, while 100 per cent have been accepted by either their first or second choice.

Head of Silcoates, Mr Phil King, said:“We are incredibly proud of our students and the results they have achieved.

“These grades reflect their hard work, determination and ambition, as well as the commitment of our teaching staff and the support of the whole Silcoates community."

The majority of students at Outwood Academy Hemsworth also secured their first-choice destinations, including their university places, competitive higher apprenticeships, and exciting employment opportunities.

Principal, Mr James Pape, said: “We are immensely proud of our Post-16 students and their achievements today.

“Their hard work, dedication, and resilience have yielded some fantastic results, and it is a privilege to celebrate these alongside them."

The 2026 cohort at Pontefract New College has helped the school break its own record for student achievement.

A Level students achieve a 100 per cent pass rate, with 65 per cent of grades awarded at A to B* and 32 per cent of students achieving the highest grades of A to A*.

Outstanding results were also celebrated at Castleford College and Wakefield College, where the class of 2026 achieved a 100 per cent T Level pass rate and a strong 98 per cent A Level pass rate.

Just under a third of students (32.6 per cent) attained top grades of A*, A or B.

One of those was Wakefield College student Dylan, who achieved three A grades in biology, chemistry and psychology, securing him a place at The University of Edinburgh.

Dylan said: “It’s my dream to be a Paediatric Doctor so I’m happy I got into The University of Edinburgh to study medicine.

“I worked hard from the first day of my A Levels, so I’m glad it paid off.”

Wakefield College applied science student, Esther called her acceptence in the University of Chester a “dream come true” following her impressive results.

She said: “I finally did it! Since I was little, I dreamt about studying Zoology at university so that I can have a career in wildlife conservation.

“I’ve achieved three Distinctions and have been accepted at the University of Chester, so I’m very excited and proud of myself.”

Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People sent his congratulations to all students.

Coun Matthew Caton said: “I hope everyone is proud of what they have achieved and are now ready to take those next steps into work, training or further/higher education.

“For anyone who did not get the results they had hoped, please contact your school or college for support.

"They will be able to provide advice on your next steps and talk through the many opportunities that are available."