The waiting will finally end for hundreds of Oxfordshire students today when A-level results are published.

Early national indications are that more pupils have gained higher grades and the pass rate has risen for the 18th year.

The anticipated improvement will be welcomed by teachers and Government as evidence that standards are being maintained.

At Magdalen College School, Oxford, 'best ever' scores have been recorded.

Twelve boys have attained at least four As and 79.4 per cent of the school's grades were A and B. Places at Oxford and Cambridge universities were secured for 24 per cent of students.

The school's deputy headmaster Robert Cairns said: "They fully deserve their tremendous success."

As results come in, debate is expected on whether the exams are becoming easier.

Last year, the pass rate reached 89.1 per cent, compared with 68.2 per cent in 1982, while 17.8 per cent were awarded A grades, up from 12.8 per cent in 1992.

No-one was available at Oxfordshire County Council yesterday to give an early indication of local pass rates.