Students celebrated as they received their A-level results last Thursday.

Head teacher at Beaumont School in St Albans, Elizabeth Hitch, congratulated delighted staff and students who are celebrating another year of record ‘A’ level results.

She said: "It’s so rewarding that so many students across all levels have reached or surpassed their aspirations."

Several Year 13 students achieved straight A or A* grades, earning them places at Russell Group universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) on competitive courses such as Medicine, Maths, Social Sciences and Engineering.

Tom Dean, 18, achieved 2 As and 3 Bs and has been accepted to read drama at Exeter University. He said: “I may defer my place and go to drama school.”

Rasha Khoyi, 18, achieved 3 As and will be going to Loughborough University to study an art foundation course.

Ben Allen, 18, achieved 2 A*s and an A. He said: “I am very happy with my results. I am going to study at York University.”

Joshua Howell, 18, was happy with his A*, A and B. He will be going to study at Warwick University.

Naomi Baker, 18, achieved an A and 2 Bs. She will be reading Geography at Birmingham University. She said: “I do not really know how I am feeling. I am very happy I got into my first choice.”

Jessica Ackers, 18, is very happy with her A, B and C grades and will be going to read Geology at Cardiff University.

Matthew Wilton, 18, achieved an A* and 3 As and will be studying chemistry at Bristol. He said: “I am over the moon with the results. I was not expected it.”

For students at St Albans Girls’ School, in St Albans, they achieved outstanding results with a record number of 18 students securing Oxbridge, medicine, veterinary and STEM places.

As well 26 students achieved A* and A grades alone.

Annie Morris has been accepted to read classics at Bristol University and said: “I am really happy with my results and delighted I get to go to university thanks to STAGS.”

For students at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School it was another successful year and many were accepted into their first choice.

Students who achieved pleasing results included Nicole Kelly, who achieved A,A,A, Nathan Pinto A,A,A, Safiya Qureshi A*,A,B, Mathew Lockwood A,A,C

Nicole Kelly, who is going on to study English and philosophy at Nottingham University, said: “I have had an incredible experience during my time at NBS and couldn’t have asked for more encouragement and support from my teachers and staff.

"I have no doubt that it is due to the opportunities that I was offered and the achievements that I have made at NBS, which has resulted in me gaining my position at my first choice university and 3 A grades.

"I am so thankful to everyone who supported me at Nicholas Breakspear and look forward to beginning a new journey at the University of Nottingham”.

Some 68 per cent of all grades at St Columba’s College were A* to B with the vast majority of students leaving for their first choice university.

All students at Verulam School will be going to the university of their choice or into training programmes.

Head teacher Paul Ramsey said: "It was interesting to see able students gaining places on training programmes with financial institutions including: The Bank of England and Metrobank as opposed to accepting university places.

"This is an increasingly attractive option for those suited to a particular career."

Sir John Lawes School celebrated getting their best results ever with nearly 30 students received straight A*/A grades.

Tabi Noble, who received 4 A* grades said: "I couldn’t believe it when I opened the envelope – I never expected such great results."

Head teacher from Roundwood in Harpenden Alan Henshall said: “There are many, many stunning individual performances this year.

"I am so proud of our students. Well done also to our wonderful teachers, support staff and parents who have supported them to this success.

"As well as the joy of seeing our students achieve a record number of A and A* grades, many students have performed well and met the challenging individual goals which they set for themselves.”

More than 94 per cent of A-levels taken by St Albans School pupils this year received A*, A or B grades.

The school has attained more than 90 per cent A* to B grades for the sixth year in succession.

Ben Hemsi achieved 4 A*s grades and Alex Cook, Anthony Georgiou and Maya Mendoza all achieved 3 A*s.

Ben and Maya both confirmed their places at Oxford University where they will read chemistry and medicine respectively.

Alex goes to Durham to read natural sciences and Anthony will got to University College London to read maths.

Jonathan Gillespie, head teacher of St Albans School, said: “I am delighted with this year’s A level results and how strongly our Upper Sixth Formers have performed.

“These results once again reflect the dedication shown by our pupils, as well as our teaching staff’s commitment to their success.

“My warmest congratulations go to our leavers together with my very best wishes for their future.”