THERE were plenty of happy faces and tears of joy at Okehampton College yesterday as students collected their A-level results.

Okehampton College is celebrating yet another year of outstanding results, with 80% of the students achieving grades of A* to C.

The college said the sixth form students had performed exceptionally well in both A-Level and BTEC course and most had met or exceeded their offers from their chosen universities across the UK.

This year an impressive 39% of grades achieved at the college were A* and A, while two students, Holly Harbron and Will Seaton-Burns, were also given places at Oxford University.

The students’ hard work has paid off as the college celebrated higher marks then the national average, with 60% of students achieving grade B or better.

Top performing Year 13 students included Maria Jacobs, who achieved three A*s and one A, Molly Rickwood, who gained three A*s as well as Will Seaton-Burns and Matthew Stoner, who each achieved two A*s and one A.

Maria, who achieved A*s in chemistry, maths and further maths and an A in physics, said she was looking forward to attending the University of Bath in September.

’I was so nervous waiting for my results but I’m now so relieved,’ said Maria.

’What makes the day even better is seeing all of my friends achieve their grades, I’m so happy and proud of them all. We’ve worked really hard and it’s all been worth it.’

Another student who said she was excited to be heading to University was Lucy Nicholas, who will be attending Queen Mary University of London to study medicine.

’I’m over the moon’, said Lucy.

’I got and an A* and two As! I’m in a bit of a daze about it really but I got into Queen Mary so I’m really pleased. I can’t thank the teachers at Okehampton College enough for all their support.’

Students at the college were excited for the future, including Matthew Stoner, who achieved two A*s and an A and will be heading to Southampton in March, 2018, to train as a commercial pilot.

Performing excellently in their BTEC courses were Rachel Adams, who achieved Distinction* grades in PE and health and social care, and Sophie Fletcher who was awarded a Distinction* for PE. The girls said they were ’buzzing’ with their results and couldn’t wait to celebrate.

Other notable results were gained by AS students Alice Newton, Ebby Valance and Nyassa De Knock Jewell — who each achieved four A grades.

Headteacher Derrick Brett said: ’We, at the college, are pleased with the A-level results. The Year 13 students have worked very hard and this is shown in the excellent grades achieved by students of varying abilities.

’It is very pleasing that the vast majority of students have secured places in universities and training programmes of their choice. While we are always sad to see our students leave, we wish them all every success in whatever the future holds.’