Coventry students have scored a higher pass rate in their A-level results than the national average for the first time, it has been revealed.

Education officials at the city council say they are delighted with the improvement.

Six years ago the city lagged a long way behind the national pass rate.

But it has steadily improved and this year the increase overtook the national mark.

This year’s pass rate in the city reached 89.6 per cent – an increase of 1.3 per cent of last year’s results. The national increase was 0.6 per cent to 89.1 per cent.

And the achievement has been made more significant by the fact that more students stayed on the sixth form to take the exams than before.

The Advanced Level GNVQ pass rate also rose, to 78.1 per cent, again with more young people entering the qualification. Both the increase in participants and success bucks the national trend.

Cllr George Duggins, cabinet member (Education and Library Services) said he was delighted.

He added:

“The recent Ofsted area-wide inspection of Post-16 in the city highlighted the good achievement and improvement rates in Coventry and the A-level results show even greater improvements with pass rates above the national.

“Schools and the LEA have made a real effort to improve A-level pass rates in recent years.

“I would like to congratulate pupils, teachers, governors and parents who have all helped t make this such a success.”

The percentage pass rate of A-levels in Coventry, compared with the national figure, is:

1994: 72.8 per cent in Coventry (83.1 per cent nationally)

1995: 79.5 (84.0)

1996: 81.3 (85.8)

1997: 86.8 (87.6)

1998: 86.8 (87.8)

1999: 88.3 (88.5)

2000: 89.6 (89.1)