This live blog provides continuous updates on A-level results being released across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland today, with particular coverage of Sussex.

Results are being distributed to students at 8am this morning. Those who have submitted university applications through Ucas will see their offers confirmed on the hub at approximately 8:15am. A national overview will begin becoming apparent around 9:30am.

Reporters are positioned at several colleges this morning, including Varndean College, Cardinal Newman, and BHASVIC to bring updates.

A reporter has arrived at Varndean College where students are currently collecting their results.

Hettie Ainsworth, aged 18, was among the first to open her envelope.

She obtained two As and an A* in Politics, Classic Civilisation, and English Language and Literature.

Hettie will proceed to Kings College London to pursue International Relations.

She expressed feeling delighted and noted she had not anticipated achieving an A in politics. She admitted to rambling during the exam. She and her friends went away to avoid thinking about results and returned yesterday.

Connor Murphy, aged 18, secured an A* in Art and Design adv (3d design) alongside two Bs in Politics and History.

He will be attending Bristol University to study History.

He stated he was very pleased with his outcomes and acknowledged results were the opposite of what he had anticipated. He had expected slightly better performance in history and politics and slightly worse in art and design. However it reversed and he still secured a place at his first-choice university. He plans to have lunch with his family as it is his birthday today before going to the pub.

Tabitha Ellis, aged 18, obtained two As in Art and Design and Classic Civilisation.

She also achieved an A* in her EPQ (Extended Project Qualification).

Tabitha will proceed to an Art Foundation course at London Metropolitan University.

She mentioned feeling extremely anxious beforehand but is now delighted. She intends to celebrate by visiting the town for cake.

Tilly Lampard-Sawyer and Maisie McQueen are both commemorating impressive results.

Tilly achieved an A in her EPQ and three A*s for Sociology, Media Studies, and English.

She will attend Sussex University to study Sociology with Media.

She described feeling shocked, noting significant nerves beforehand and that last night was unpleasant, but feels relieved the effort proved worthwhile.

Meanwhile Maisie obtained A*s in Art and Design (fine art), Art and Design (3d Design), and her EPQ, along with a B in English Language and Literature.

She will attend Brighton University to study Interior Architecture.

She mentioned having some expectation of her results since she studied coursework subjects and was only waiting on English, but thankfully achieved her desired outcome. Both indicated they would go out tonight to celebrate and take advantage of student freebies.

Betty Griffiths, aged 18, is commemorating three A*s in Art and Design (3D Design), Art and Design (Graphics), and Art and Design (Textile).

She will attend Brighton MET College for an Art Foundation course.

She said she still feels nervous and that the period leading up to today has been particularly intense, especially with three art subjects. She also mentioned going out this evening to celebrate.

Lucy Jackson, aged 18, obtained two A*s in Biology and Psychology and will complete two additional A-Levels next year.

She said she had been extremely stressed for about a week and was trembling. She added that it feels like a weight has lifted.

Rosie Ridley, aged 18, achieved a Distinction* in her Sports and Exercise Science BTec alongside a C in Art and Design (Graphics).

She currently works full time in physiotherapy at East Surrey Hospital and hopes to leverage this experience to obtain an apprenticeship.

Sophie Willcox, aged 18, will attend Southampton University to study Human Geography after obtaining a B in Photography and two As in Politics and Geography.

She said she had been extremely anxious and woke at 8am to check her results. She now plans to go out for drinks and then have a meal with her family.

Varndean Principle Donna-Marie Janson expressed her delight at what she described as a really brilliant day for the college.

She stated it represents the culmination of all the hard work from students and staff and how everything comes together to ensure they perform really well. She described it as a joyful occasion. She explained that students have the choice to access results online at 8 oclock or attend in person because it represents a major life milestone, and the college has been with them since the beginning of their studies so they really want to be present at the end. She said it represents a real celebration of how well they have done.

Nationally, top A-level results across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have increased for the third consecutive year.

A total of 28.5 per cent of all grades have been awarded at A* or A this year, compared to 28.3 per cent last year.

This remains significantly lower than in 2020 and 2021, when students received grades based on teacher assessments because examinations were cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.

However it remains several percentage points higher than levels before the pandemic.

Roedean School is commemorating achieving its best results in ten years, with 58 per cent of all grades at A* or A.

BHASVIC students are also being recognised for their remarkable achievements after the college achieved a 99 per cent pass rate across A-Levels, BTECs, and vocational qualifications.

West Sussex County Council has published guidance on careers advice and support available following todays results.

Students with questions about their results or available courses should speak to their school or college about their options and next steps.

The council Careers Team can also offer free information, advice and guidance to eligible young people aged 16 to 24 living in West Sussex who are not in education, employment or training.

Further details are available by emailing careersadvice@westsussex.gov.uk or by calling 033 022 22700.

The careers guidance webpage also contains further information.

Advice and emotional wellbeing support is available on the e-wellbeing website.

Councillor Sam Raby, council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said she congratulated every young person receiving their results today. Reaching this point requires commitment, resilience and considerable hard work, and she hopes students take time to acknowledge everything they have achieved.

She also expressed thanks to teachers, school and college staff, parents and carers who have supported young people throughout their studies.

She noted that results day can bring mixed emotions and sometimes plans may change, but no one has to navigate their next steps alone. Whether heading to university, considering an apprenticeship, training or employment, or taking time to explore options, advice and support are available.

A reporter has arrived at BHASVIC and has been speaking to students.

Elicia Morton, aged 18, from Eastbourne, is celebrating achieving an A in biology and two Bs in chemistry and maths.

She will study medicine at the University of Leicester.

She said the minutes before receiving results were very stressful this morning. She has informed all her family who are very excited. She has wanted to pursue medicine since the age of four so finally achieving that goal feels exciting, representing 14 years of aspiration.

Amber Ondoy, aged 18, from Peacehaven, will attend the University of Exeter after achieving an A in biology, a B in psychology, and a C in music.

She said she was really worried the night before and kept having nightmares about receiving bad results.

Ella Anscomb, aged 18, from Brighton, achieved an A* in English literature and two As in psychology and sociology.

She said she is feeling really good and noted the A* was not anticipated but she worked hard for it. She expressed relief that it is all over now.

Ella plans to take a gap year before studying primary teaching at Sussex University.

Harry Marriot, aged 18, from Brighton, achieved a distinction in computer science and two Bs in politics and criminology.

He would like to pursue a career in the railway industry.

Ethan Eyup-Robertson, aged 18, from Worthing and Abie Hancox, aged 18, from Brighton, are both proceeding to university after receiving their grades this morning.

Ethan achieved two As in politics and maths along with a distinction in computing.

He said he deliberately slept in so he could view the results the moment he woke up.

He will study politics, philosophy and economics at the University of York.

Abie received an A*/A in double maths, an A in physics and a B in computer science.

He will attend Bath University to study physics and theoretical physics.

He said he is happy to have secured his place because his sister is already there and was more excited about his results than he was.

Brighton & Hove has achieved the highest position among local areas in Sussex for the largest proportion of A-level entries receiving top grades.

The complete Sussex breakdown follows, showing the proportion of entries receiving an A* or A this year, with last years percentage in brackets:

Brighton & Hove: 39.6% (39.5%) +0.1 percentage points

Mid Sussex: 33.6% (32.1%) +1.5pp

Adur: 30.3% (34.6%) -4.3pp

Horsham: 29.9% (30.4%) -0.5pp

Wealden: 27.6% (30.2%) -2.6pp

Arun: 27.1% (21.9%) +5.2pp

Eastbourne: 26.8% (30.6%) -3.8pp

Rother: 20.3% (22.5%) -2.2pp

Lewes: 18.9% (18.1%) +0.8pp

Chichester: 18.0% (17.1%) +0.9pp

Worthing: 17.1% (15.6%) +1.5pp

Crawley: 17.0% (18.1%) -1.1pp

Hastings: 14.9% (12.0%) +2.9pp

A student is commemorating achieving three top grades while juggling her studies with hundreds of hours of training in preparation for a Channel crossing.

Clara Burton-Dowsett, aged 18, has received three A*s and raised almost £10,000 following her endurance challenge.

A reporter visited Cardinal Newman college earlier today to speak to students collecting their results.

Martha Pelling, aged 18, achieved three A*s in maths, further maths, and art, along with an A in physics.

She will attend the University of Bath to study physics with theoretical physics.

She said she feels relieved and thinks it is good to have the uncertainty resolved. She is looking forward to returning to learning and is excited about living independently with her own room. She really enjoyed studying there, noting she struggled with her mental health this year but Newman was the best part of learning and feeling like herself. She will definitely miss Brighton as she likes being near the beach, where she has grown up and feels familiar.

Billie McKay, aged 18, said he felt surprised, shocked, and disbelieving about his results.

He achieved an A* in both economics and history, along with an A in Spanish.

He said he took Spanish because he wants to travel. He will definitely miss Newman and the Newman football academy. It still felt like school rather than a sixth-form. He will apply to university next year with an ambition to attend Cambridge to study law or business.

Milo Curran, aged 18, said he felt very relieved after his results were revealed.

He received A*s in maths and further maths, and an A in economics.

He said he felt great and relieved, worrying he had obtained a C in something. He will miss Brighton because of the beach and the atmosphere which is pretty unmatched. He loved his time at Newman where the staff are brilliant and supportive and the opportunities are very good.

Milo will attend the University of Bristol to study economics.

Fiorello Romano, aged 18, achieved an A* in further maths alongside As in maths and computer science.

He said he felt satisfied, happy and relieved about going to the University of Bristol to study maths. He will miss Newman because the maths department is really good and it was his favourite lesson. When he goes to university he will miss his family and friends who are staying locally.

Ollie Forsyth, aged 18, will attend Oxford to study economics and management after achieving four A-levels.

He received A*s in maths and Spanish, an A in further maths, and a C in history.

He said he felt really relieved but was happier when he received his offer. His parents were very excited at home. Oxford is such a cool university and one of the best. It will help keep him accountable rather than partying at university. He really enjoyed his time at Newman and had a great time throughout.

Emily Booth, aged 18, received A*s in maths and textiles, and an A in chemistry.

She said maths is her favourite because she likes the sense of achievement. She was really shocked when she received her results, noting the lead-up is so long you start to doubt yourself but she was really pleased.

She will attend the University of Bristol to study Biochemistry.

It was the first university she looked at and she liked it immediately. Reading the course details she felt it was exactly what she wanted to do. She is ready to go elsewhere but will miss her friends.

Irene Soryal, aged 18, will attend Brighton and Sussex Medical School after receiving three As in further maths, biology, and chemistry, alongside an A* in maths.

She said she was really surprised and had not really expected those results. She is really interested in the medical aspect of everything. She is happy to be finished with school but will miss this place a lot. Her parents were very happy.

David Tollerfield, aged 18, is celebrating three top grades.

He will attend the University of Bristol after achieving A*s in maths, biology, and chemistry.

He said he was not expecting it, admitting he opened them one by one. There are so many months between exams and results which distorts your perception. His parents were pretty happy. He will miss his friends but they are mostly all going to Bristol. He wants to do graduate entry medicine and then become a doctor or researcher.

Richard Marsh, head of sixth form at Cardinal Newman, said the college is extremely proud of their students.

He said it is amazing to see the students and they are extremely proud of them. The results are their best ever and they are really pleased about that. They are also grateful to families, parents, carers, and teachers for all the work they have put in to help students achieve these results.

It has been an exceptional year of results for students at Hurst College, where almost a quarter of pupils secured straight A* grades.

Roedean pupil Ella Broadley has secured a place at the Royal Academy of Music after picking up a trumpet for the first time when she attended the school aged 11.

Now at Grade 7, Ella has received A*AB in politics, music and French, opening the doors to a musical future in London.

She will study music (voice) and hopes to become an opera singer one day.

Ella, from Rottingdean, said her favourite opera is Carmen because she is a mezzo. She adores performing, whether singing or playing the trumpet, so attending the Royal Academy is a dream come true.

Claire Ng was not content with studying for three A-levels in classical civilisation, Latin, and English literature, choosing to teach herself Ancient Greek simultaneously.

The Roedean pupil has been celebrating receiving four A*s today.

Claire is also a Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2 level ballerina and travels to the academy in London every Saturday to practise all day.

The 18-year-old, from Peacehaven, said she worked really hard for this but you can never be certain. She is just so surprised and delighted.

She said it was all about time management for her. It was a bit of a juggling act with her dancing every Saturday and teaching herself Ancient Greek but it worked out OK. She could not resist doing the Greek because she loves the problem solving that comes with Latin and Ancient Greek. She is into Homer and Greek plays and it is amazing to read them in the original.

Claire, who is now heading to St Annes College, Oxford, added she is not sure what she wants to do professionally but loves mixing her interests. She choreographed a dance about sea goddess Thetis after reading The Iliad. Doing something like that would be amazing.

Student Lydia Furniss is celebrating three A*s after logging almost 350 hours of study time across April and May.

The Roedean pupil set herself a strict daily timetable with rest breaks, logged her hours on the Flora app, ate plenty of protein, and gave herself every evening off.

She will now study modern and medieval languages at Sidney Sussex Cambridge after receiving top A-level grades in classical civilisation, maths, and Spanish.

Showing off her phone which logged 341 hours of study in April and May, the 18-year-old from Hove said she was very disciplined. She had a timetable on Excel and made sure to follow it exactly. She would get up at 7:30am each day and get on with it, always finishing by about 6pm so she could go out and see friends. But she was careful to look after herself and always did pilates and tennis through the week too.

Lydia is considering a career in diplomacy after university but is keeping her options open at this stage.

She said she is studying languages because she loves that you study all sorts of things like film, literature, art, and politics, just all in a foreign language. But who knows what is next.