Almost a quarter of all A Level grades given out in Norfolk were either an A or an A*, new figures have shown.

As students across the region learn their fates, statistics have revealed that top grades were given out in more than one in five instances.

Of all exam grades issued in Norfolk, 23.6pc were either A or A* - the highest scores attainable.

The figure is a very slight year-on-year improvement on 2023, when 23.3pc of grades scored this high.

It is also a higher rate than the final pre-pandemic cohort in 2019, of which 21.5pc were assessed at this level.

The improvement was one reflected nationwide too, with every region of the country seeing an increase in top A Level grades.

Norfolk's figure is also below the national average for this metric - with 27.8pc of all grades nationwide being rated A or above.

However, it comes against a backdrop of universities fearing there may not be enough students to fill places, owing to a steep decline in international applicants.

At the University of East Anglia, more than 200 staff members spent the day speaking to students through clearing, hoping not only to help those who missed out on places get in, but to persuade others to "trade up".

(Image: Norfolk County Council)

Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for children's services at Norfolk County Council, said: "Congratulations to the students receiving their results, you should all be proud of what you've achieved.

"For any students who did not receive the grades they hoped for, please rest assured that there is lots of support and advice available to help you consider your next steps.

"I wish you all the best of luck in the next chapter of your life, whether that is university or stepping into the world of work."

Meanwhile, in Suffolk 20.7pc of top grades (A*/A) were given out - the fourth lowest percentage in the country.