With students across the borough waiting for the release of their A-level results tomorrow it comes as no surprise that many are beginning to feel the nerves set in.

Since the introduction of the new A* grade three years ago, more students have felt the pressure to hit higher targets set by prospective universities.

Statistics have revealed that not only is the number of students who are expected to achieve an A* grade set to rise by 10 per cent from the previous year, but the overall pass rate is due to rise.

Last year Barking and Dagenham achieved its best-ever pass rate, with 97.4 per cent of A-level students achieving an A* to C grade – an increase of one per cent from the previous year.

Yet with the government announcement last year that many universities are expected to increase their fees to �9,000 per year, and an ever-growing number of students applying for a university place, their future is becoming more uncertain.

Schools are set to open their gates from 10am for pupils to collect results.

Cllr Rocky Gill, cabinet member for education and children, said: “Good luck to students who get their A-level results on Thursday. They have worked extremely hard and should be proud of themselves.

“I’d also like to thank teaching staff and parents for their support.”

However, for those who don’t get the grades they hoped for, UCAS has assured students that there is a good chance that they could find another course via the clearing process.

Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS chief executive, said: “Our advice is to familiarise yourself with the clearing process, which is fully explained on the UCAS website.

“We expect there will be plenty of vacancies in clearing again this year but you do need to act quickly to secure a new offer.”