Tears of joy and squeals of delight could be heard across St Albans and Harpenden this morning when teenagers ripped open the envelopes to their A Level results.

Students at Harpenden’s Sir John Lawes School in Manland Way were among those celebrating Oxbridge success.

Head Boy, Damiano Sogaro, whose 5 A* and A grades will see him studying Law at Cambridge in September said: "I’m so pleased that the hard work has paid off and my 7 years at SJL has got me where I wanted to go".

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Students at Harpenden’s Sir John Lawes School

Damiano joins Deputy Head Boy Jamie Carr and Bharadwaj Ramanathan who both achieved 5 A and A* grades.

Head of sixth form Cait Rickard paid tribute to the students’ hard work.

She said: "As a teaching staff we have always been impressed by the levels of commitment shown by this year group and they thoroughly deserve these excellent results.

"We look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve in their undoubtedly bright futures."

Marlborough school celebrated their highest score of A Level grades yet.

The school in Watling Street said goodbye to Year 13 students who are now embarking on the next part of their journey to study a variety of subjects at a wide ranging number of universities including Exeter, Edinburgh, Nottingham and Sheffield. While Alan Henshall, headteacher at Roundwood Park School in Harpenden, said he was delighted.

Mr Henshall said: "Students of all abilities have exceeded their own expectations and can now pursue their dreams.

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Roundwood Park pupils celebrating

"I would like to congratulate each and every one of our students, whether they are the majority who are now going to university, or those who will be studying further at college, or entering full time employment.

"They leave us as well rounded and happy adults with learning habits to last them a lifetime.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the teachers, support staff and parents who have helped them to achieve the best A Level results in the school’s history."

St. Columba’s College in King Harry Lane, St Albans for the second year running bucked the national trend of tougher criteria to gain 44 percent of A and A* students.

This a personal best and the benchmark of A*- B grades was also at a record 75 per cent.

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St. Columba’s College students

Pride of place fell to Daniel Efford who achieved 3 A* grades in Economics, Maths and Further Maths with an A grade in Politics.

Daniel’s results contained full marks in many papers including the entire Economics modules.

Verulam students celebrated gaining a record number of the top A* and A grades needed for entry into the best universities and achieving a 100% pass rate.

Paul Ramsey, head teacher at the school in Brampton Road, St Albans, said: "I am delighted with the results and especially proud of the four students who gained places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. "This is a record for the school.

"It was especially pleasing to see our students buck the national trend by increasing the number of A and A* grades achieved."