At the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone senior vice principal Scott Norman said results were “fantastic” and said he was “very pleased”.

More than half of the A’Levels taken by pupils received A and B grades - with the 52.3 per cent rate on par with last year.

Mr Norman said: “We have maintained our very good record. Most pupils, more than 90 per cent are off to university and continuing their education. Some will be taking gap years.”

Pupil Will Allingham achieved A grades in biology, physical education, chemistry and history. He is now off to London Medical School and hopes to become a doctor. He said: “It was massively hard work.”

Another pupil, Jake Vincent, got five A grades, in maths, further maths, physics, chemistry and sport science. Three years ago his older brother also achieved five As.

He said: “My mum was expecting me to do the same. I thought I’d get three As and two Bs, so I’m really pleased, but it was a lot of hard work.” Jake is off to Loughborough now to do chemical engineering.

Staff at Pent Valley School in Folkestone were also happy with their results. Linda Coleman, a spokesman for the school, said they were “delighted”.

She said: “Our young people and their teachers have worked extremely hard to achieve a set of results they can be proud of.”

Eighty six per cent of A’Levels and equivalent qualifications were passed, while 23 per cent were at A and B or equivalent levels.

Rachel Barr achieved the equivalent of two A’Level A grades in sport, a B in A’Level art and a D in A’Level English literature.

She said: “It was hard work, but it was worth it.”

Rachel now plans to study primary education at Canterbury Christchurch University.

Leah Staveley passed four A’Levels, getting a B in law, two Cs for history and psychology and a D in English. She is to study criminology and social policy at the University of Kent in Canterbury and hopes to work in crime.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting such good grades, but I did a lot of revision and worked really hard.”

Matt Parker gained the equivalent of two A’Level A grades in BTEC Sports, another A grade in A’Level performing arts and a C in A’Level media studies.

He said: “I was very pleased, but I did have to work hard. I didn’t do enough in my first year, so spent my second year constantly at my lap top.”

He is off to Brighton University, to the Eastbourne campus, to study PE with Qualified Teaching Status.