IT WAS a big day for students all over the country as the A level results were released last week.

Ahead of the GCSE results being revealed today, it was crunch time for many last Thursday as they learnt whether or not they had secured the A level grades needed for a place at the university of their choice.

The year has seen daunting times for young people aspiring to go to university - with the row over rising tuition fees, cuts in both colleges and universities, and unemployment for young people at a record high, A’level grades are all the more significant.

With the introduction of the A* grade (to recognise students who get over 90 per cent in their exam) in it’s second year, competition for high grades is fierce.

Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for education and skills Cllr Aggie Caesar-Homden said: “We would like to congratulate all the students for their hard work, and appreciate how much they have had to do to achieve their results.

“We would also like to thank everyone who plays a part in our school and college communities across Shropshire.

“This includes our hugely skilled and committed teachers, headteachers and college principals, governors, support staff, people who contribute voluntarily and, of course, parents and carers who play such an important supportive role.”

She added: “We wish all the students receiving their results today every success in the future, including those going through the particularly difficult university application process.”