DESPITE news that A-level grades have edged down this year, it was celebrations all around in Redditch.

There has been a slight fall in A* and A grades and the pass rate is down for the first time in more than 30 years.

However, there was plenty of celebration at schools and colleges as students surpassed themselves.

At Trinity High School students achieved a second consecutive improvement of the school's score per entry and the average point score for A-level students increased by an impressive 162 points to 790.

Headteacher Marian Barton, in her final year before retiring, said despite changes in A-level examinations she was very pleased.

She congratulated all the students and staff for their hard work and achievements in 2014 and wished them the best for the future.

Woodrush High School celebrated its best ever A-level results with a 100 per cent pass rate with more than half of all grades awarded being top A* to B grades.

Record numbers of students have gained places at universities across the country including Oxford, Warwick, Birmingham, Exeter and Nottingham.

Headteacher Chris King Said: "We are extremely proud of our students and delighted with their hard work and commitment to their studies at Woodrush.

"We congratulate all our sixth form students and wish them the very best at university, and thank parents, carers and our staff who supported their fantastic achievements."

Arrow Vale also recorded its best ever set of results with the highest points per entry, highest number of A-level entries, and highest pass rate at Year 12.

Guy Shears, principal, said: "I’m incredibly proud of the students who have worked hard to gain their best ever A Level results.

"This has been an amazing year for students and staff at RSA Academy Arrow Vale."

Heart of Worcestershire College students have bright futures to look forward to after collecting their A-level results.

A spokesman said: “We would like to wish all of our students all the best and well done on your results."

Two of the many star students were Aleigha Adams who got A*A and B and Charlotte Price who achieved three Bs in English, History and Phycology.

Tudor Grange Academy, formally Kingsley College, achieved its best ever set AS and A level results. The overall pass rate was 99 per cent and there were significant increases in the overall points score and the percentage of students achieving A* to B grades.

Headteacher Stephen Brownlow said: “I am extremely proud of the students and staff who have worked so hard to achieve our best ever results at AS and A-level.

"It is wonderful to see even better results than last year. Examination success equates to life chances for our students who are able to pursue their chosen routes into higher education or employment."

At St Augustine’s High School there was a 100 per cent pass in general studies and the school got a 973 average point score per student, an improvement upon last years high score.

Stand out students included Charlotte Mason and Lucy Burbridge.

Exam officials say this year's results are broadly "stable".

But for the third successive year the A* and A grades have fallen slightly - down from 26.3 per cent to 26 per cent.