Sixth formers in the borough proved they’re a cut above the rest today with results bucking the national trend showing a drop in A-level grades.

Students from the Islington Sixth Form Consortium (IC6) achieved an overall pass rate of 99.1 per cent this year – up one per cent on the 2012 results despite a nationwide fall in the proportion of the number of A-levels awarded the top grades.

A total of 79 per cent of entries in Islington were A* to C grades, while 49 per cent were A* to B grades – representing percentage point increases of 14.9 and 11.3 respectively on last year’s results.

IC6 is made up of students from Central Foundation Boys’ School, Cowper Street, Finsbury, Highbury Fields, Highbury Hill, Highbury, St Aloysius College, Hornsey Lane, Archway, and Highbury Grove, Highbury Grove, Highbury.

A record number of IC6 students have gained places at the universities in the Russell Group – the top institutions.

St Aloysius’ College, Conor Nilan achieved a triple distinction in his BTEC level 3 in sports development and coaching, delivered in conjunction with Arsenal in the Community. He will now be going on to study sports coaching at Cardiff University.

But a number of Islington students have decided to take up apprenticeships instead.

Connor Gardner from Central Foundation, who achieved three distinctions in his IT BTEC has secured an apprenticeship through the Tech City Stars apprenticeship programme. The programme provides employment and vocational training with some of the many technology firms that have set up in the Old Street area.

Islington Council’s executive member for children and families, Cllr Joe Caluori, said: “Congratulations to all our students and staff who have worked hard to achieve these fantastic A-level results. “We want all our young people to reach their potential. Islington’s sixth form facilities are helping our school leavers to do that, preparing them for the next steps in their lives – whether that’s continuing in education or moving into apprenticeships, employment or training.”

Outstanding results were also posted at City and Islington College in Goswell Road, Finsbury with an overall pass rate of 98 per cent, and St Mary Magdalene Academy in Liverpool Road, Holloway, recently celebrated its examination results for sixth-form students studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) and has improved its average point score once again.

Islington’s Youth Careers Team is on hand for all school leavers who are unsure about their next steps or want more advice. The team’s career advisors will be out and about in schools, colleges and youth hubs, to give advice to students on college courses, apprenticeships and job opportunities, CV writing and interview skills.

Details of sessions can be found at the link on the top right hand corner of the page.