Staff and students at a North East college are celebrating after its 2025 A-level class exceeded national averages in a range of academic and vocational subjects – defying the regional trend.

Students at Carmel College, in Darlington, exceeded national averages in subjects including Maths, Art, and Psychology, while 68 per cent of vocational students achieved at least a Distinction in their subject.

Amongst Carmel College’s A-level Maths students, 45 per cent gained an A or A*, compared to the North East average for all A-level students, which saw only 22.9 per cent achieve the same level.

The college, which is part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, also saw resounding success with its art students – 40 per cent achieving at least an A grade – and its psychology students, of whom 35 per cent leave with at least an A.

Louise Parnaby, Head of Sixth Form said, “This result has been a fitting highlight in a fantastic year for Carmel College, and I couldn’t be more proud of the tenacity, dedication, and character shown by our A-level students.”

The success comes following the college’s most recent Ofsted inspection which took place earlier this year, and rated Carmel College as Outstanding in all five evaluation areas: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Leadership and Management.

The college was also named one of the Top 100 UK Schools by The Times.

“Our students are now going off to top universities all over the country, including Cambridge, Durham, and Newcastle, to study Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, and more,” added Louise.

“We have students going into prestigious degree apprenticeships, including with the Metropolitan Police in London and at the Darlington Economic Campus.

“Our recent Ofsted report acknowledged that Carmel ‘goes beyond the expected to help every pupil succeed and live life to the full’, which this year group truly embodies, but that is a partnership which requires the contribution of both staff and students.

“They have worked so hard for their success, and we wish them the best of luck on the next stage of their journeys.”