Nearly 30% of Jersey A-level results were A or A*, slightly down on last year's figures.

The island has an overall pass rate of 98.8%, level with last year. Its 97.5% in England.

UCAS has revealed fewer students have been accepted onto UK degree courses compared to last year.

408,960 have taken up places do far, down 1% on the same point last year.

That's despite a 1% rise in the number of applications, to 638,000.

Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois tweeted a message to students getting their results:

To all students out there that are on the eve of collecting their results. You did your best, you made an effort and whatever the result you are valued. Well done for all your hard work and perseverance!

— Tracey Vallois (@TAVallois) August 14, 2019

"I would like to offer my congratulations to the students: you did your best, you made an effort and, whatever the results, you are valued. Well done for all your hard work and perseverance.

To all the teachers, parents, carers and families, I would like to offer my thanks for all the support you give our young people."

Nationally, the proportion of A and A* grade A levels has fallen to its lowest for more than a decade with just 25% of entries achieving the highest marks - the worst figure since 2007.

Figures show girls outperformed boys when it came to getting the top results.

Students at Hautlieu School collecting their results this morning.

Beaulieu Convent says it celebrating 'outstanding results' with 30% of exams taken getting A* or A grades, and 82% being A*-C.  It also says 40% of students achieved the equivalent of A*-A grades in the vocational courses it offers.

JCG reports that 46% of its grades are A*-A, and 92% A*-C.

"These excellent exam results are but one measure of someone's education and while they will open doors to incredible future opportunities, a grade can never define a person."  -  Carl Howarth, Principal.

De La Salle College had 19% of students pass with A* or A grades, with 70% getting A*-C.

Its headteacher, Jason Turner, says every student who did their best should be celebrating today:

"I am delighted with the performance of the boys who have worked very hard to achieve their grades. In the statistical rush to celebrate the A* and A grades we must not lose sight of those boys who, in gaining a grade C or D, achieved beyond the performance predicted from their CAT scores and GCSE grades."

Careers advisors from Skills Jersey are available at the Youth Service's YES project between 11.15am-2pm today for anyone who needs to chat through their options.  No appointment is necessary.

Further advice is available here.

Good luck today to all young people getting A Level results👍

Today between 11.15am & 2pm Careers advisors from @skills_jersey will be based in the YES project to chat to young people about results and talk through options

No appointment needed, just walk in 👣 pic.twitter.com/mbeX1CRC6G

— Jersey Youth Service (@JsyYouthService) August 15, 2019

Best of luck to everyone receiving their A-Level results today! Here are @skills_jersey's top tips to prepare yourself. Don't forget a member of their Careers Guidance team will be on hand to answer questions on whats next if you would like careers advice. pic.twitter.com/jyRQrlP8U7

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) August 15, 2019