A STUDENT from the region is among the country's leading five in not only one, but two A-level subjects.

Sophie Daniels was ahead of thousands of candidates to score top-five marks in religious studies and geography.

Sophie, from Durham High School for Girls, said: "I was hoping for As, but not this.

"I thought a couple of exams had gone a bit funny, so it was a huge relief."

Sophie, 18, also gained an A grade in history and will study theology at Cambridge University.

More than two-thirds of Durham High entries received A or B grades.

There was also cause for celebration at Durham School and East Durham and Houghall Community College, which both achieved 100 per cent pass rates.

Kim Forrest, from Durham School, gained A grades in biology, chemistry, maths and English language and literature.

She said: "It feels as if the world is at my feet now, and all manner of choices are possible for me."

There was also continued improvement at The Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street, while there was a 100 per cent pass rate in 14 subjects at Sunderland City College.

In North Yorkshire, 15 Northallerton College students earned three or more As, and two received four As.

College principal Mick Hill said: "Anyone who says top grades are easier to get nowadays either has not studied A-levels recently or does not know anyone who has."

Stokesley School, in North Yorkshire, was also awash with smiling faces, with A and B grades for 54 per cent of entries, up four per cent on last year.

At Thirsk Sixth Form College, there was a 98 per cent pass rate, and 23 per cent of grades attained were As.

Mark Dickson, head of sixth form, said the results were a "reflection on the effort and quality of our staff and the considerable support at home that our young people benefit from".

On Teesside, pupils at Yarm School achieved a 100 per cent pass rate for the fifth year in succession.

Headteacher David Dunn said: "The grades show that our continuing policy of offering a traditional curriculum has been vindicated again."

Another school with a 100 per cent pass rate was Teesside High School, in Eaglescliffe, with 76 per cent of all grades at A or B.

Headteacher Thomas Packer said: "These are our best ever results, and a great tribute to the hard work of the students and their teachers."

Near-neighbour Egglescliffe School achieved a full house of passes for the first time.

Headteacher Angela Darnell said: "We have students with a range of ability in our sixth form, and the fact that every student passed their A-levels is tremendous."

Macmillan Academy, in Middlesbrough, receorded a pass rate of 99.6 per cent.

Hartlepool Sixth Form College maintained its position as the best-performing sixth form college in the Tees Valley, with a 99.4 per cent pass rate.

The pass rate of 99 per cent achieved by English Martyrs School, in Hartlepool, included A and B grades of 53 per cent.

Guisborough's Prior Pursglove College achieved a 97 per cent pass rate, while St Mary's College, Middlesbrough, achieved a pass rate of 96 per cent, and Redcar and Cleveland College celebrated an overall pass rate of 91 per cent.