SCHOOLS across the county are preparing for tomorrow's A-level results.Staff are already working behind the scenes preparing for the publication of thousands of exam grades, which will determine the future of teenagers hoping to go into further and higher education.

SCHOOLS across the county are preparing for tomorrow's A-level results.

Staff are already working behind the scenes preparing for the publication of thousands of exam grades, which will determine the future of teenagers hoping to go into further and higher education.

Neil Watts, headteacher at Northgate High School said: “We are now beginning the process of down loading the results from a number of exam boards.

“We are beginning to analyse the data but we won't get the full information until tomorrow when the results come in through the post.”

Mr Watts said the school is collating the results for 230 pupils who are expecting grades tomorrow.

He added: “We have had fantastic results for the last three years as points scores have gone up and up and up.

“We would love to see that continue but you never really know how well you have done until the results come through.”

Rosalind Turner, Suffolk County Council's director for children and young people said: "I know many Year 13 students and their parents throughout Suffolk are anxiously awaiting their A level results.

“Having visited many schools in the last year, I know how much work our pupils and their teachers have put into preparing for these exams. I sincerely hope their efforts are rewarded this week and I am confident we will be celebrating their successes on Thursday.”

Suffolk National Union of Teachers (NUT) secretary Martin Goold said about half of the county's 3,000 members will have taught A-level or AS-level courses.

He said: “Just about everyone will be returning from their holidays to make sure they are there for results day. The stakes are high not just for students but also for staff as well. Their pay is largely determined on how well their pupils do.

“There will be a certain amount of apprehension but because results have been steadily improving there will also be some relief and congratulations due to those who achieve what they needed.”

Mr Goold said teachers would also be called upon to help students go through the clearing process as well as lodge appeals if results are lower than expected.

He said: “Every year there are appeals made to the exam boards and results are altered. Of course as soon as it is all over the GCSE results come out next week and we go through it all over again.”

Do students face too much pressure? Are a-levels getting easier? Is university that important? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk