Twins – who achieved identical exam results – are among thousands of students receiving their A-level results today.

Benenden School high-achievers Nicola and Victoria Tsang managed the extraordinary feat of achieving the same A-level marks, just two years after gaining identical scores in their GCSEs.

They both achieved A* grades in Economics and A grades in Maths and Physics, while they both also earned an A* in the EPQ – a research project similar to a mini dissertation.

Victoria, the older sibling by one minute, said: “I was saying yesterday what happens if we get the same results again and we both said that won’t happen! We’ve had different grades in our mocks in the run-up to the exams so I can’t believe it’s happened again.”

But many schools across the county are celebrating and praising their students for their outstanding work as the south east continues to lead the way, with 30.8% awarded the highest grades.

Among those celebrating today is the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, which saw 85% of its pupils achieve passing grades, with more than half scoring top marks.

Principal Alex Foreman said: “I am so proud of the students and staff, and the fabulous relationships we have just bring out the best in everyone.”

At Dover College, almost every leaver is now headed off to their first-choice university, with some even seeking institutions further afield in Europe and the USA.

Further down the coast in Hythe, Brockhill Park Performing Arts College saw more than 50% of pupils achieve passing marks.

This includes Livia Wright, who achieved three As and is now taking a gap year to travel.

Goodwin Academy in Deal saw great success in sport diploma, health and social care and applied science where most students achieved a Merit grade or higher.

Pupil Marissa Smiejkowski, who achieved a distinction and two merits, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled with my A-level results. After all the hard work and dedication, it’s such an amazing feeling to see it all pay off.”

Radnor House in Sevenoaks welcomed exceptional marks, with 96% of pupils securing their choice of higher education.

The independent day school also saw a stunning 100% pass rate in this year’s exams.

Celebrations also followed results day at Harris Academy in Orpington. The school saw particular success in fine arts, with 60% achieving top marks.

Among them is Amina Chadova, who arrived at the school from Ukraine last year. She said: “I'm so happy with my results and can't wait to continue to study art at University, although it will be sad to end my journey at Harris Academy Orpington."

Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maidstone will see three students look to forge careers in the healthcare sector.

Gabriel Charles, Tom Larchet and Tessa Rojo will all take up places at medical school in September.

Rochester Grammar School had another outstanding year of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results, with 20% achieving the equivalent of two A* and an A.

Clare Brinklow, principal at Rochester Grammar School, said: “I am so proud of all our students who have worked so hard through their time in the sixth form.

“The IB is such a rewarding qualification, and it was lovely to see the sense of achievement felt by so many students this morning.”

The Victory Academy in Chatham recorded particular success in English, maths, performing arts and sport.

Headteacher at the school Olly Owen said: “I am incredibly proud of our students as they receive their results today. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them and witness their incredible hard work and determination over the course of the last two years.”

In Dartford, Wilmington Grammar’s joint sixth form saw a record number of students now headed to top universities.

Among them is Victoria Rosanwo, who achieved an A* and two As on her way to study law at York. She said: “I just wanted to thank all my teachers and the members of the sixth form staff for their support and guidance. I couldn’t have done it without them!”

Stone Lodge School also saw exceptional results from its first sixth form cohort, as 76% of all students achieved the equivalent of A, A, B, or higher.

Fulston Manor School in Sittingbourne also saw an increase on last year as more pupils received the highest grades.

Mrs Burden, executive headteacher, said: “Our students’ hard work and determination have paid off . This success is a testament to their dedication and the excellent support provided by our staff.”

Northfleet School for Girls had many students achieve marks to the highest standards, including Emie Howard, who received an A* in psychology and an A in law and distinction* in performing arts. She will now go on to study musical theatre at the Emil Dale Performing Arts Academy.

Sandwich Technology School saw their best-ever A-level results as they smashed the previous year’s grades

Deputy headteacher Mr Sharples said: “We offer a very academic curriculum in the sixth form, and students have performed well across a range of rigorous A-level disciplines.”

It was also a day of success for St Gregory’s Catholic School in Tunbridge Wells, which will see the majority of their students on to their chosen form of higher education.

Angela Morrissey, head of sixth form, said: “These results are a testament to all the students and their dedicated teachers. We are thrilled for them all and proud of their achievements.”

Kent College in Pembury had their highest set of results in nine years.

18% of grades received by the institution were A* with many of its pupils now looking to careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Also on Kent’s east coast, St Lawrence College in Ramsgate saw hard work pay off, including pupil Joba, who achieved three A*.

Barney Durrant, head of college, expressed his pride in the students, saying: “We are incredibly proud of all our pupils. Their offers from top universities testify to their hard work and ambition.”

In Folkestone, at Turner School’s sixth form, 69% of applicants were welcomed to their first choice university.

The director of sixth form, Mrs Brown, was very pleased for the students, saying: “The students have worked incredibly hard within a wide range of subjects; we are really proud.”

The 2024 exam figures show that the proportion of entries awarded A and above has also increased in every region compared to last year.

London saw the highest proportion of entries awarded A and above, at 31.3%, up 1.3 percentage points from 30% in 2023.

The East Midlands had the lowest, at 22.5%, up 0.2 points from 22.3% in 2023.

In 2023, north-east England had the lowest proportion of entries awarded A or above, at 22%, while south-east England had the highest, at 30.3% – a gap of 8.3 points.

The gap between these two regions was 8.8 percentage points, up from 7.7 points last year.

But this year, the gap between these two regions narrowed to 6.9 points (north-east England 23.9%, south-east England 30.8%).

Meanwhile, the proportion of entries awarded A and above in Wales and Northern Ireland has fallen sharply year on year as these nations complete the return to pre-pandemic grading levels.

In Wales, the figure has dropped from 34% in 2023 to 29.9%, while in Northern Ireland it has decreased from 37.5% to 30.3%, though both of these are still above the 2019 pre-pandemic figures of 26.5% and 29.4% respectively.