Students making the grade

Despite toughening up the exams, more unconditional offers from universities and the glib comments of motormouth Jeremy Clarkson, A-level students still did themselves proud.

Those cynics who annually claim successful results are due to a dumbing down of education standards may be forced to eat their words.

A-levels in recent years are - by government decree -getting harder but still the proportion of A grades has risen.

Fears that universities giving even more unconditional places to students would affect results, also failed to materialise in any significant fashion.

And (perhaps without too much surprise) even Jeremy Clarkson’s assurances that A-level grades don’t matter anyway, failed to see students take their foot off the pedal.

(For those who don’t know, the former Top Gear presenter tweeted the message: “Don’t worry if your A level grades aren’t any good. I got a C and 2 Us. And I’m sitting here deciding which of my Range Rovers to use today.”)

Smug TV presenters aside, there’s plenty to cheer in the results revealed today.

Across the country, the highest proportion of A and A* grades since 2012 were recorded.

The overall pass rate was only slightly down on 2017, though last year was a good one too for A-level performances.

While the results will be pulled apart by all and sundry over the coming days, it’s time to give praise where praise is due.

And that means a big well done to the students for doing the work, the teachers for teaching, and the parents and guardians for continuing to support their charges.

It’s not Top Gear, it’s top notch. Well done.