PUPILS across Oxfordshire scored an A-Level success yesterday as they improved more than their peers nationally.

The number of students who got at least two A-Levels at grades A* to E jumped from 95.1 per cent last year to 96 per cent this year.

Nationally, this pass rate rose by just 0.1 percentage point.

Some of Oxford’s biggest state schools recorded their best-ever results, with headteachers saying this came despite significant financial pressures.

Cheney School in Headington achieved its best-ever set of results, with 57 per cent scoring A* to B grades and a 97 per cent pass rate. The school entered 107 pupils and 37 per cent of their exams were given A* or A grades.

Head of sixth form Heather Doherty said pupils had triumphed despite increasing financial pressure due to government cuts.

She said: “I think it’s testament to the staff who have worked very hard and, of course, the wonderful students.”

There was also reason to celebrate for pupils and staff at Oxford Spires Academy in east Oxford.

The number of entries gaining A* to B rose from 27 per cent last year to 44 per cent.

Top grades of A* and A were awarded to 35 per cent of entries, up from 15 per cent last year. The pass rate was 96 per cent. Headteacher Sue Croft said: “We are so very pleased.

“Our sixth form students are exceptional adults and have achieved great results through hard work and a love of learning.”

Mrs Croft said: “Funding issues are an opportunity to streamline and improve what schools do but it is still vital to invest in education as the children are the future of this country.”

The Cherwell School’s 256 A-level pupils also achieved its best results ever with a 98 per cent pass rate. More than half of entries were graded A* to B and 16 per cent were A*. The school converted to an academy, run by The Cherwell School Academy Trust, in April 2012. Headteacher Paul James said: “It’s just a question of students and colleagues working together really effectively and working really hard.

“There has been a change across the educational landscape and we are a school that looks to make the right choices to create the best opportunities for our students.

“We changed to academy status and that has given us freedom. There are not many sixth forms with 256 pupils in them. That shows when we do well it’s a lot of individual students who have performed.”

Wood Green school in Witney was another to achieve its best set of results. Its pupils achieved A* to B grades in 61 per cent of exams and A* or A grades in 25 per cent, with a pass rate of 99 per cent.

Headteacher Rob Shadbolt said: “Our students have responded superbly well and applied themselves to their studies, while continuing with all the other aspects and opportunities of sixth form life.”

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said she was delighted with the results.

She said: “Results day is an important milestone following years of hard work on the part of the young people and the efforts of dedicated teaching staff across the county. I wish all our students future success as they start the next chapter in their lives.”