EARLY indications show that Trafford’s A level students are ‘top of the class’ and achieving higher grades than last year.

With all but one school's results known, the borough's provisional results show 36 per cent of pupils attained an A grade with early national average estimates at 27 per cent. In 2008 this figure was 32 per cent.

Sixty-one per cent of students attained an A or B grade compared to 57 per cent in 2008.

The percentage of pupils gaining any grade rose to 98.7 per cent from 94.7 per cent in 2008.

More than 86 per cent of schools showed an increase in the percentage of pupils attaining an A grade compared to 2008.

All schools improved on or maintained 2008 figures for the percentage of students attaining A to E grades.

Trafford Council leader Matt Colledge was delighted with this year's success and said: "Once again I'm offering congratulations to local young people. These results do not just happen.

“To continually achieve such high standards means exceptional hard work, excellent teaching and support for pupils from schools, parents and families.

"It would be easy to become complacent, but this is not something that will happen in Trafford. While fantastic results like this are celebrated, teachers and pupils alike will continue to work hard in an effort to achieve even more next year.

"Well done to everyone involved and I'm looking forward to next week's GCSE results announcement.”