The hard work paid off for youngsters across the region yesterday with numerous schools posting improved A-level results.

Education chiefs in Suffolk and north Essex last night congratulated students on their A-level results which revealed a number of schools have increased their A*-C grades.

Thousands of nervous students opened their A-level result envelopes to learn whether they had made the grade to get their place at university - or if they needed to rethink their plans.

Eighteen schools across Suffolk saw the percentage of students achieving A*-C grades improve showing encouraging signs of progress.

Ormiston Sudbury Academy, formerly Sudbury Upper School, saw an increase of 7% in students gaining A*-C grades, from 78% in 2012 to 85% this year.

Principal Caroline Wilson said: “We are delighted that more students can go on to their chosen paths as they achieved what they needed.

“This year’s changes and relentless focus on improving teaching and learning as well as outcomes for students has paid dividends.”

In Suffolk, the proportion of students earning top grades has improved for the seventh year according to the self-reported provisional results sent to the council.

According to Suffolk County Council, schools appear to have bucked the national trend with 29% of students reported to have earned A*-A grades while nationally the figure is 26.3%.

The national fall from 26.6% last year is thought to be the second biggest fall in the history of A-levels, and comes the year after the A*-A pass rate fell for the first time in more than 20 years.

Lisa Chambers, cabinet member for education, skills and young people, said: “For students to achieve such great results is testament to their hard work and that of the staff and governing bodies that do so much for them.

“Today’s results make a fantastic contribution to our collective efforts to raise the bar on educational attainment in Suffolk.

“If we’re to do the best by Suffolk’s young people, improving attainment and employability has to be a top priority for everyone. I’m pleased that we’re making good progress towards this goal.”

In north Essex, five schools improved their A*-C grades on last year’s results and Clacton Coastal Academy saw the biggest increase from 49% in 2012 to 74% this year.

The overall pass rate for A*-E was 98.4% compared to the national average of 98.1%.

And the number of A*-A grades scored by Essex students sat at 27.% - 1% above the national average.

Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Essex County Council is dedicated to increasing educational achievement across the county and ensuring that all children get the education they deserve.

“We are also committed to building the best education system so that every pupil can go on to fulfil their potential, be it academically or vocationally.

“We have some excellent schools in Essex, and pupils, teachers and parents all play a big part in Essex’s educational successes, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work.”