STUDENTS across Dudley have celebrated a round of outstanding A-level successes.

Dudley Sixth, the A-level arm of Dudley College, celebrated its best-ever results and an overall pass rate of 99 per cent - and a 100 per cent pass rate in 30 out of 37 subjects, with some of the highest performing subjects being mathematics and further maths, English language and literature, law, psychology and business studies.

The college has reported an increase in the number of students achieving the important A* to C grades (71 per cent this year - up half a percentage point) and principal Lowell Williams said: “We are delighted our students have achieved such success across a range of A-level subjects."

Among the outstanding individual success stories was Kulbir Singh, aged 18, who achieved four A*s in mathematics, chemistry, further mathematics and physics and who is now set to take up a place at Brasenose College, Oxford, to study physics.

He said: “I liked maths and physics before I came to Dudley Sixth, now I love them. My tutors shared my passion for the subjects and really motivated me to do well. My ambition is to go on and get a first at Oxford."

Kulbir’s success is even more impressive - given he did not speak English until the age of 15, having arrived in the UK after spending his childhood years in Italy.

It was also a record-breaking year for sixth form pupils from Ellowes Hall Sports College, Lower Gornal, with 50 per cent of students being awarded grades A* or A.

The sixth form also saw almost 90 per cent of pupils achieved grades A* to C, while every pupil who took their A-level or equivalent exams this year passed in all subjects.

The top individual college performers include Zehra Kantar, who achieved three A* grades and Johua Hyde who followed up his three A grades at AS with three more at A2.

Joel Dudfield, Dan Lloyd-Hickman, Ryan Lowe, Kathryn Slater, Rachel Whitehouse and Paige Wootton all gained over 1000 UCAS points, while Matthew Baker, who achieved an A* in business, a B in accounts, C in m aths, has a prestigious apprenticeship with Birmingham Law Firm Mazars.

The college’s BTEC sport and exercise science course saw 100 per cent of students gaining the equivalent of two A* grades and the BTEC health and social care course had all its pupils awarded a distinction * (A* equivalent).

Berni Crehan, head of sixth form, said: “We wish to congratulate all of our sixth form students on their outstanding GCE results this summer following their hard work.

“Special mentions go to our upper sixth students who will soon be starting out on their undergraduate courses or apprenticeships and our talented and dedicated teaching staff who have given 110 per cent to ensure our students achieve their potential.

“Our key stage five provision continues to go from strength to strength now it is part of The Invictus Sixth Form and we look forward to a further expansion in numbers when the new term begins in September.”

Meanwhile - Dudley's Bishop Milner Catholic College saw 43 per cent of students achieve A* to B grades, 69 per cent get A* to C grades and a 99.3 per cent overall pass-rate of A* to E.

Among the school's outstanding individual performers were head girl Alannah Joy who gained one distinction* (A-level equivalent), three grade As and one grade C, Theo Kacoulli who achieved one A*, two distinction*s and one grade B and Matthew Timmins with three distinction*s.

Principal Steve Haywood said: "On behalf of all staff and directors of Bishop Milner Catholic College, I would like to congratulate all students on the culmination of two years of hard work and dedication.

"We are delighted to see so many successful performances and wish all students a bright and happy future."