At last, the nervous exam wait is over

For thousands of students the waiting is over. The A-level results came through last week and sixth formers have discovered whether they have the results they wanted. Nationally, there has been a dip in fortunes. There has been a slight drop in A* and A grades and the pass rate is down for the first time since the 1980s.

Despite this there have been many success stories across Ashford borough.

Some schools have reported some of the highest ever marks, with many students getting top marks and winning the university places they wanted.

Things have been helped by the fact there are now a record number of university places available, so students with more disappointing results can still go straight to further education.

Studying for A-levels is not an easy task and ends with a strenuous summer of cramming and then nervously waiting two months for the results.

We appreciate all students who have made the effort to study hard and congratulate those who have succeeded.

For those who have not, do not despair, options are still open.

If necessary, they can retake exams but will have to accept the delay in going on to university.

Today it is the turn of 16-year-olds, who will get their GCSE results – and we keep our fingers crossed for them.