Parents of pupils at St Leonard’s feared grades would be adversely affected by disruption throughout the year as many classrooms were closed due to Raac after they were deemed unsafe.

The school said 40 per cent of A-level entries were awarded top A*/A grades compared to 33 per cent last year.  

Eighty-two per cent of students are moving on to their first choice of university, including ten students to Durham University.

A-level results 2024 LIVE: Darlington and County Durham students collect results

Just over half of the students will be heading to Russell Group Universities, with five securing places at Oxford and Cambridge.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Students at St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham, after a challenging year around RAAC, have pulled together to achieve another set of fantastic results of which we could not be prouder.

“Our students shine in vocational qualifications too, with Distinction as the average grade at BTEC. 

“Students are also moving on to an exciting range of high-quality apprenticeships including Rolls Royce, Hitachi and Off-Shore Wind Power.  

“For all St Leonard's students, the future is exciting.”

The school was unable to open at the start of the school term and for weeks lessons were taught online while contingency arrangements were put in place.

Temporary classrooms have been built in the car park at County Hall and students are also being taught at Ushaw College five miles away while plans to rebuild the school are drawn up.

Durham City MP Mary Kelly Foy said: “I’m extremely proud of St Leonard’s pupils.

"Almost a year ago, their school was crumbling around them because of the RAAC-crisis.

"At the last minute, they were put into remote learning, unable to retrieve books, coursework or use specialist equipment.

Mary Kelly Foy (Image: Contributor) "That was just the tip of the iceberg. We can’t forget, either, that these are pupils who went through disruption of the pandemic. 

"Every step of the way, they were supported by their incredible parents, teachers and everyone in County Durham; however, they shouldn’t have had to go through the anxiety and stress that they did.

"The previous government should’ve given them the assurances they needed.

"Going forward, I'll make sure that no-one has to go through a similar experience."

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She added: "Today, though, we celebrate this incredible achievement.

"The determination and resilience of the entire St Leonard’s community, including the school leadership and staff, is astonishing.

"I wish the pupils the very best for the future."