BEADLE PRAISES A-LEVEL STUDENTS

A senior Newcastle Liberal Democrat has praised students collecting their A-level results today.

Ron Beadle, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, said students had every reason to be proud of today's results.

Provisional figures show the overall pass rate in Newcastle rising to 98% from last year's figure of 96.5%

The number of students getting the top grades of A and B also rose to 39% from 37.8% in 2008, and the number of students getting A to C grades also rose to 66.3% from 65.4%

"Students in Newcastle have recorded another record year of A-level passes," said Ron Beadle, who is also a business lecturer at Northumbria University.

"Their dedication, hard work and commitment to passing these exams must be congratulated.

"Many are 18 year olds at the beginning of adulthood and I wish them the best of luck with whatever the future holds, be it university, college, training or employment.

"I may well even see some in lectures next month. Don't be late!"