by Jamie Bullen

jbullen@thekmgroup.co.uk

The wait is over for A-level students as they find out their results today.

Our team of reporters and photographers are at schools across the Gravesham and Dartford areas and we'll be bringing you the latest here throughout the day.

Students at Gravesend Grammar School for Girls, in Pelham Road, Gravesend, have been celebrating after 83 per cent achieved A* - C grades.

Head teacher Elaine Wilson said: "Our students have worked extremely hard and we congratulate them on their success. We wish them well for the future."

Rosie Klement (pictured), of Mounts Road, Greenhithe, opened her envelope this morning to discover she picked up three A* grades in maths, English and history.

Rosie, who is studying law at Nottingham University in September, said: "I was pretty overwhelmed, I just said 'wow' and not much else."

Holly Hagan-Walker, of Echo Square, Gravesend, was delighted after she got two A grades and one A*.

She is now planning to travel across Europe on a gap year before studying Theatre Studies and Film at Sussex University.

She said: "I'm really, really happy, I didn't expect to do so well."

Twins Iain and Isabelle Matthews from New Barn are studing at University College London and Warwick, respectively, after both achieved two A grades.

Students at Saint George's C of E School in Meadow Road were also celebrating as some made their way to the school at 8.30am.

Head teacher Anne Southgate said she was pleased with her students results this year.

Sushanta Kharel, (pictured) of St Mark's Avenue, Northfleet, got an A and two Bs and is now off to Loughbrough University to study systems engineering.

He said: "I'm just relieved its all done. Now I feel like a proper grown up, I'm going to universiy!"

Jemma Foxwell, of Istead Rise, will be studying theatre arts at Derby University after achieving two Cs and a B.

She said: "I'm ecstatic. Derby was my first choice and I'm very happy I'll be going."

At Gravesend Grammar School, more than one in four passes were either an A or A* pass.

The school achieved a 99.8% pass rate, with only one of the 376 exams sat by pupils not being passed.

Head teacher Geoff Wybar said: "I am very pleased at the results for these young men and women, particularly as some top universities are saying they will only consider A* passes this year."

Gravesend saw 17 pupils gain at least three A or A* passes.

"Everyone is concerned this year because getting places at university is going to be harder than ever before," he said.

"Tuition fees are going up next year, so many students aren't taking a year out - and they will be competing with the students who did take a gap year.

"It is difficult to tell but it looks as though our students have done very well and got the results they needed."

High fives and hugs were the order of the day for many Dartford students receiving their A-level results this morning.

At Dartford Grammar School for Girls (pictured above) every A level student passed, the fourth year in a row this has happened.

Josephine Ives, 18, of Dawson Drive, Hextable, received two A*s and an A and will read geography at Cambridge.

She said: "I'm so pleased - I'm really looking forward to it. I was really shocked and felt ecstatic.

"I'm really excited to start and meet new people - I'm really happy."

Head teacher Jane Wheatley, who is retiring after next week's GCSE results, said: "They are excellent results. The girls have worked hard and got the results they deserve the results are outstanding.

"It's a good time to go out on a high."

Just down the road in Heath Lane, 95% of students at Dartford Technology College achieved a pass.

Deputy head teacher Gary Nelson said: "Congratulations to all the students and staff in the sixth form."

Leesha Verma, 19, of Abbey Place, Dartford, is going to Westminster University to study law after achieving an A*, A and a B.

She said: "I'm really happy and relieved. I did not get to sleep until 3.30am so it's a big sigh of relief that it all paid off.

" was really happy when I saw the "congratulations" on the UCAS website and I'm really excited to start."

Alison Bennett, 18, of Devonshire Avenue, Dartford, also got the results she needed and will start at St Mary's University College in Twickenham in September.

She said: "I was quite surprised that I got them and it was a relief because I did not get to sleep until 4am.

"It's exciting and a bit nerve racking at the same time but it should be good.

"It makes you feel all that hard work you have done is worth something."

Students at nearby Wilmington Grammar School also had reason to celebrate following the release of A-level results.

Every student passed this year at the school in Common Lane, Wilmington.

Head teacher Andy Williams, overseeing his first set of A-level results, said: "With such competition for the final year of financially supported university places, we now have the important job of supporting our students to confirm an appropriate offer.

"I am not just delighted for the students who achieved the top A* grades but I am equally pleased for those students who worked so hard and gained the results they are rightly proud of."

Craig Chatfield, 18, of Salisbury Avenue, Swanley, gained an A and two Bs and will study maths at Reading University.

He said: "It was nice to see my hard work had paid off. I'm looking forward to going to Reading."

Lawrence Williams, 18, of Laburnum Avenue, Swanley, is set to study economics at Portsmouth from next month.

He said: "I was nervous but relieved when I found out my results. It feels like the pressure is off my shoulders. I've got everything planned - I have a part-time job lined up already."

Click here for the countywide picture.