New research has revealed the counties in England producing the highest proportion of top-performing A-level students, with Rutland taking the lead. According to an analysis of data from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, 39.7% of A-level results in Rutland were graded A or above, outperforming all other counties.
Surrey follows closely behind, securing second place with 35.6% of students achieving A grades or higher. Notably, Surrey also excelled in Biology, where 37.7% of students achieved A grades, surpassing the national average of 24.3%. Meanwhile, East Sussex came in third, with 34.4% of students achieving A or above, particularly excelling in Mathematics, where 55.3% of grades were at A or higher, well above the national average of 41.5%.
The findings come from an analysis conducted by Teachers To Your Home, which examined 2024 A-level results. This research highlights the disparities in academic performance across different regions of England. Hertfordshire ranked fourth, with 33% of results at A or above. The county also performed well in Geography, with an average of 31.4% of grades in this subject achieving an A, exceeding the national average of 24.2%.
Oxfordshire secured fifth place with 32.8% of students receiving A or above. The county showed particularly strong performance in English Literature and Chemistry, where 19.1% and 17.8% of grades, respectively, were A*, compared to national averages of 9.8% and 9.5%. Buckinghamshire followed closely in sixth place, with 32.4% of results at A or above. Notably, Computer Science was a standout subject in Buckinghamshire, with 10% of grades being A*, aligning with the national average.
Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Berkshire, Greater London, Hampshire, and Shropshire rounded out the top ten counties, with Cambridgeshire achieving 32% of results at A or above, and Warwickshire slightly behind at 31.8%. Berkshire and Greater London both saw 30.7% of results achieving A or above, while Hampshire and Shropshire shared the tenth spot with 28.8%.
Gillian Dixon, CEO of Teachers To Your Home, commented on the findings, noting a national rise in the percentage of A* and A grades. “In 2024, England experienced an outcome of 27.6%, up from 26.5% in 2023. It’s interesting to see which counties are contributing the most towards this final number, highlighting systems that excel. Conversely, no northern counties appeared in the top ten, indicating potential areas needing additional resources or funding,” she stated.
Dixon further emphasised the importance of understanding which subjects are performing well and which may require further support from education leaders. “This data sheds light on the subjects needing more attention to improve overall academic performance across regions,” she added.
The report serves as a valuable resource for educators and policymakers, illustrating both the achievements of certain counties and the challenges faced by others, thereby informing strategies to improve educational outcomes nationwide.
