SCHOOLS and colleges across the North-East saw A-level records tumble yesterday, with several reporting their best ever results.

From traditionally high-flying independent schools to fast-improving state schools, there was unrestrained joy as students found they had achieved unprecedented success.

Among the notable success stories was Park View School, in Chester-le-Street, where every student passed two or more A-levels.

Only slightly behind was Derwentside College's Sixth Form Centre, at Lanchester, which was celebrating a 96 per cent pass-rate. It also scored 100 per cent in 16 out of the 20 subjects it offers.

Among those celebrating success were Katie Bailey, of Medomsley, who was one of the late arrivals to collect her results, having passed her driving test only ten minutes earlier. She arrived to discover she had achieved three As.

Classmate Kelly Barron, formerly of Blackfyne School, was celebrating after she achieved four As.

At Durham School, staff and pupils were celebrating unprecedented results. A spokesman said: "We are very pleased. These are the best results the school has ever recorded in terms of overall pass rate, which is more than 98 per cent."

Overall, the percentage of County Durham students gaining two or more passes at A to C rose by two per cent to 54, above the national average.

In Gateshead, there were some of the most outstanding individual results, including John Watson, of Whickham School, who achieved six As and will study economics and maths at Durham University.

Schoolmate Ankur Gupta will join him at Durham after he celebrated his 18th birthday by scoring four As.

Emmanuel College, which traditionally scores highly in exams, also achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

In Sunderland, there were some superb results, with improvements in most areas and a 100 per cent pass rate across the city in 11 subjects.

In Newcastle, Kelsay Magowan, of Westfields School, in Gosforth, scored the best marks in the country for art, with a perfect 100 per cent.