Thousands of sixth formers across Bath are celebrating after getting their A-level results in another record year.

Nationally, a record 26.7 per cent of exam entries were classed as As - up from 25.9 per cent last year.

There were hugs and smiles, and only a few tears, while pupils opened their A-level results at Hayesfield School.

Frances Yeo was celebrating after picking up three As in English language, English literature and media studies.

She said: “I hadn’t really been thinking about it too much over the holidays.

“I thought they had gone quite well and I had felt really good throughout the season.”

Helen Whitemore and Martha Stuffins were congratulating each other after both getting places at their chosen universities.

Helen, 18, who lives in Weston, had got the grades she needed to take up her scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Martha, also 18, from Oldfield Park, got three As and C in maths, further maths, physics and Spanish and will be starting her physics degree at Birmingham University in September.

She said: “I was really scared this morning but I checked online to see if I had got my place so I felt better after that.”

Students at Beechen Cliff School were also celebrating as they opened their results this morning.

David Orpen, from Bathampton, had achieved four As in maths, chemistry, biology and physics, securing his place to read medicine at Birmingham University.

He said: “I was pretty apprehensive before I got my results because I am going off to do medicine and this is going to feel like the rest of my life starts today.”

George Gibbs, from Fairfield Park, got three As and is now off to Kings College, London to read ancient history.

He said: “I only needed ABB, so this is a bit of a shock.

“I already knew that I had got my place because I checked online, but I didn’t know what my actual results were.”

Both Harry Richardson and Rachel Prest achieved two As and a B and secured their places at university.

Harry, who is going to York University to read history, said: “I checked this morning and knew that I had got in, but I don’t know how I managed to do it.”

Rachel, who is going to the School of Oriental and African Studies in London to read Japanese studies, added: “Some of the exams I was feeling confident about, but not all of them.”

One student was celebrating a year early after getting As in two A-levels even though he was in Year 12.

Deputy head boy Giles Prentice, 17, took his maths and history exams a year early and achieved the top grades.

Another student is now hoping to take the rugby world by storm after finishing his academic studies.

Kane Palma-Newport, 18, got his results for PE, psychology and economics and has just signed with Bath Rugby.

He said: “I am loving the rugby at the moment, since I started two months ago, so these qualifications are just a back-up for me in case anything happens.

“I won’t be out celebrating tonight because I have got training ready for my first game on Saturday.”

Pupils at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon have achieved record-breaking results.

One third of all exams taken this summer were marked as an A grade and 23 students gained top marks in three or more subjects.

Five pupils are now off to continue their studies at Oxford or Cambridge and headteacher James Colquhoun congratulated his students.

He said: “We are extremely proud of this outstanding set of results and impressed by the sheer commitment of our young people.

“It sets a new standard and will challenge the school to do even better in years to come.”

Kingswood School is celebrating its best-ever A-level results, with more than half - 56 per cent - of entries getting the top A grade this year.

Eighty-five per cent of grades at the school were A or B, with 96 per cent A to C and an overall 100 per cent pass rate.

The top results came from Yuki Inoue with five grade As and James Dabell, Shaun Howell and Amelia Tuckett with four.

Headmaster of the independent school Simon Morris said: “These are clearly exceptional results and a just reward for the very hard work of both students and teachers. The upper sixth were an outstanding year group and what is most impressive is that they achieved these record results whilst also making such a strong contribution to the school’s extra-curricular life which is such an important part of a Kingswood education.”

Students at King Edward’s School have achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, with 91 per cent of entries being marked at A or B.

Three out of every five pupils gained As in all their subjects and 12 candidates achieved four A grades.

Two students Joe O’Hara and Henry Irish got the top grade in five subjects.

The national pass rate rose to 97.5 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points.

The improvement in grades - for the 27th year in a row - will add to the pressure on university places.

There are there are 60,000 more applicants for university places in the UK than this time last year, a 10 per cent increase.

Students at St Brendan’s Catholic College in Brislington are celebrating this year’s 98 per cent pass rate.

Former Culverhay pupil He Zhu only began speaking English when he was in Year 9, but has now gained A grades in his four A-levels of economics, physics, maths and further maths.

He has been given a place at Oxford University to study mathematics and statistics. His dedication and strong work ethic has been rewarded with a place to study Mathematics and Statistics at Oxford University.

Hannah Ledbury, who used to go to St Mark’s School, has also won a place at Oxford to study biochemistry after getting As in chemistry, biology, maths and French.

Hannah, who is taking a gap year before continuing her studies, said: “I’ve had a great time at St Brendan’s, the teachers have been very inspiring and I was shocked to get such great grades.”

Fellow former ex-St Mark’s pupil Kelly Russell has gained an equivalent to three A grades in her exams, despite battling ME.

She achieved a double distinction in BTEC musical theatre and a C in A-level sport and PE.

Two other students from Bath have achieved good exam results despite taking time away from college to pursue different careers.

Eleanor Nebarro, who appeared on the latest series of Britain’s Next Top Model, got As in religious studies and photography, a B in politics and a C in English literature.

Former St Gregory’s pupil Oliver Corbett, an aspiring actor who has appeared in Casualty and Larkrise to Candleford, got an A in law, a B in drama and theatre studies and a distinction in BTEC musical technology.

Principal Derek Bodey congratulated his students and said: “Once again we are celebrating the fantastic achievement of our students.

“I’m very proud of them all individually, those who have done exceptionally well but also those who have overcome personal circumstances and disadvantages.”

One fifth of Prior Park pupils have gained three or more A grades at A Level.

Top performers included Sophie Kneller who gained 5 A grades and will headed to Cambridge University to read natural sciences and Sarah Raby and Sophie Heard who both gained 4 A grades and will be going to Oxford University.

Headmaster Dr Giles Mercer said: “I am thrilled for the candidates of all abilities and their teachers who have worked hard and I am delighted to be leaving Prior Park after 13 years on such a glorious day.”

Pupils at Ralph Allen School have achieved a 98 per cent pass rate with 35 per cent marked at an A grade.

Twelve students were given at least three As, including Ruth Coverdale who is going to Cambridge Unievrsity to read geography and Claire Jones who is going to Oxford University to read theology.

Deputy headteacher John Chantry said: “Once again Ralph Allen has achieved a fantastic set of A-level results for Year 13 students, maintaining its very strong showing over recent years.

“Congratulations go to students and to their teachers.

“The excellent teaching we have at Ralph Allen School gives us these superb results, not only in sciences and mathematics but across the whole range of subjects studied at sixth form as shown in the table above.”

* For the names of all the local A-level students, see next week's Chronicle.

FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF THIS WEEK'S SUCCESSFUL A-LEVEL STUDENTS, CLICK HERE