Nervous teenagers discovered their fate as they learned their A-level results today.

At Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend, Kirendeep Dosanjh, 18, got three As in biology, chemistry and psychology and is going to study medicine at the University of East Anglia as she hopes to become a doctor.

She said: “I’m very happy that I got into my first choice.”

Maria Gemmell, 18, got A* in history, A in psychology and B in biology. She is going to study primary education in Winchester. She planned to go out with her friends to celebrate. “I’m really in shock - my predictions were only A, B, B.”

Jodie Yates, 18, got two A*s in English literature and government and politics, and two Bs in French and theatre studies and is off to Leeds University to study English and French.

She said: “I’m going to a pub quiz tonight and celebrate with the rest of my school friends.”

Dartford Grammar School for Girls' head teacher Sharon Pritchard was pleased with pupils' grades.

She said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the outstanding A-level results achieved by our students.

“This year, we are celebrating another fantastic set of results, with school records continuing to be broken.

“A superb 75% of all grades were achieved at A*-B with 45% of grades at A* and A, and nearly 20% of students obtaining at least three A* or A grades. For the seventh year running every subject obtained a 100% pass rate.

“Students and staff have worked very hard to achieve these truly excellent results and the students’ successes are thoroughly deserved.”

At Saint George's Church of England School, Gravesend, opening their results were Ranjit Bassi (2 As, 1C), Elisha Kharel (3 As), Aaron Ballieu (3 A*s, A), and Harry Graham (4 A*).

Aaron, 17, got A*s in physics, maths, computing and an A in further maths he is going to Homerton College at Cambridge to study engineering.

Elisha, 18, got As in biology, chemistry and maths. She is going on a gap year and will then apply for medicine. She said: “I’m going to party and then sleep.”

Harry, 18, got A*s in computing, maths, further maths and physics. He got a place at Imperial College, London, but is going to reapply to Cambridge to study computer science.

Ranjit got 2 As in computing and maths and a C in biology. He said: “It’s frustrating. I needed three As, I might go through clearing. Something you’re never going to do again is holding you back.”

Students at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys swapped nerves for celebration as they opened their A-level results.

The school again performed very well with the vast majority achieving their goals for the future.

Head teacher Andy Williamson said: “Whilst progressing to university is still the far most popular option, we do have a few students this year who have taken the option of a higher level apprenticeship with a highly regarded company in their chosen field.
“It is nice that there is now an expanding range of high quality options for our students to follow.”

The school also enhanced its reputation of preparing the engineers for the future including James Bevis and Joshua Brown who both achieved an A* and two A grades and will be studying automotive mechanical engineering at Southampton University and electronic engineering at Imperial College respectively.

Another popular option was medicine with Kishanthan Johnson and Gilbert Sagalla both achieving straight A grades in order to secure their places.

The school was also very proud of its 10 Year 12 students who achieved the full A-level maths a year early with three of them gaining an A*, four an A grade and three a B grade.

They will now have the option of studying further maths to Year 13 to help them stand out as the best in their field.

Charles Sexton, the school’s careers director was very pleased that all the students had studied the right subjects to help them gain the places they wanted.

“There is a very keen demand for high quality engineers and medics in Britain and worldwide so it is vital that the students get the right grades in the right course to give them the best chance of success in the future.”

More than 600 students from across the three secondary schools in Leigh Academies Trust were delighted to receive their outstanding AS and A-level results.

The Leigh Academy, Longfield Academy and Wilmington Academy produced between them a staggering one-third of all A-level grades at A*-A with a pass rate of nearly 100%.

Record numbers of students have also secured places at top universities.

Chief executive Simon Beamish said: “The power of academies working together in a close family is demonstrated by these excellent results.

“Enormous credit should go to students, staff and parents for their tremendous dedication to ensuring the best academic outcomes.

“We are delighted that these results enable our young people to move on to valuable future pathways at university, in employment or further training.”

Notable individual successes at The Leigh Academy were Sophie Winder (A*, A, B), Sophie Tutt (A*, A, C), Aimee-Grace Miller (A*, A*, A, B) and Martin Stewart (A, A, C).

At Longfield Academy, there were top results for Roland Dosa (A*, A, B), Rubena Chopra (A*, A, B) and Jack Holmes (A, A, B).

At Wilmington Academy, those celebrating included Katie Firmin (A, B, C), Ruhit Chowdury (A, B, C), Shannah Hall (A, and two starred distinctions), Fern Everest (three starred distinctions), Katie Barrett (three starred distinctions).

Leigh Academies Trust opens the new Leigh University Technical College (UTC) in Dartford in September. Students are being recruited to Years 10 and Year 12.

The Leigh UTC will specialise in engineering and computing.

Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy in Greenwich, a secondary school of more than 1,500, also joins Leigh Academies Trust from September. This will take the total capacity for Post 16 student places across the trust to 1,450.

Despite national reductions in A level grades, students at Northfleet School for Girls were celebrating their successes at all levels.

Head teacher Julie Wilson said: “ A-levels have been in almost constant flux recently.
“Often the political arguments detract from the real hard work and challenges that both students and staff have faced.

“Both deserve praise; our young people are superbly equipped with not only the right results but also the right attitudes for their chosen futures; for many that is university and all our students have got the places they wanted.

“They have used their skills, talents and abilities to the benefit of themselves and others and will continue to do so. I am proud of what staff and students have achieved together.”

There were especially good outcomes for Tillie Eastwod, Hollie Hamilton, Fallon Page, Emilie Jones, Gugandeep Badatch, Hannah Odd, Megan Reilly, Megan Pretious and Katie Thorne with high grades across a range of subjects.

There was more success at Gravesend Grammar School.

Roan Haggar, 18, got four A*s in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics. He is going to study physics at Durham University.

Jaskiran Kaur Sodhi, 18, got an A* in biology and three As in maths, chemistry and psychology. She is going to study medicine at St George’s in London. She said: “I’m going to celebrate tonight, it’s been a long time coming.”

Peter Stevens, 18, achieved three A*s in maths, further maths and physics and is off to Queen’s College in Cambridge.

Thomas Storey, 18, achieved an A* in geography and two As in business studies and maths and is going to Clare College at Cambridge to study geography.

A spokesman for the school said: “We are incredibly proud of the success achieved by all our A-level students – 36% of all the results achieved were A*/A grades and 62% A* to B grades.

“Special congratulations to the 24 students who achieved three or more A*/A grades.
“These impressive results are all the more pleasing in a year where the top grades are becoming harder to achieve.

“Nationally top grades have fallen over the last few years in efforts to deal with what is perceived as “grade inflation”.

“We have, with focus and determination, increased our percentage of top grades. Well done to all our students and we wish them all the very best for their futures.”

At St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School, Gravesend, deputy head Matt Baron said: “We are extremely proud of the fantastic achievements of our students; they have attained the best ever set of A-level results for our school.

“In particular, our figure of 38% A*-B at A-level (including equivalents) is a tremendous accomplishment and testament to all the hard work the pupils and staff have put in over the last year.”

Amy Wight, 18, achieved a distinction in drama, grade C in her extended project and a C in English. She is going to the Royal Central School Speech and Drama in London. She said: “I’m going to celebrate with friends.”

Manpreet Mahay, 19, who is a house captain and prefect achieved a double merit in health and social care, a distinction in drama and a C in her extended project.

She said: “It took me a long time. I feel like eating and celebrating – I’ll cook myself a curry and have a bottle of wine.”

She is going to the University of Bedfordshire to study theatre and professional practice.

At Meopham School, assistant head teacher and director of sixth form Manj Nijjer said: “Seeing the joy on the students’ faces as they open their results makes all the effort over the last two years worthwhile.

“Qualifications really open doors and it is so rewarding to be sending so many of them onto university.”

Post-16 results at the school have risen steadily over the past three years. This year, 100% of students passed their A-levels, with students achieving an average of three B grades.

A number of students achieved outstanding results. Macauley Cubbit achieved two Distinction* in Business Studies and ICT, a B grade in A-level film and C grade in A-level English literature.

He said: “I am feeling happy and relieved that I can now take up my place to study law at the University of Kent.”

Ben Hatherly, who achieved A* in A-level photography, B in A-level art, and a distinction* in ICT, said: “I did better than I expected and am now really looking forward to taking up my place at the University of Portsmouth to study photography”.

Zak Brown achieved an A grade in A-level film studies, a C in A-level English literature, and a C in A-level history. He also achieved a Distinction* in ICT.

George Goldsmith, who has accepted a place at the University of York to study business accounting, achieved two Distinction* in ICT and business studies, a B in A-level finance, and a C in A-level English literature.

He said: “I am absolutely amazed at my results. I am privileged to have studied at Meopham School.”

Sian Stillwell achieved a B grade in English literature, and two Distinction* in ICT and health and social care. She said: “I am pleased with my results. It shows that my hard work, and that of my teachers, has paid off.”

Deputy head teacher Cat Taylor said: “It is fantastic that 79% of our Year 13 pupils this year achieved at least the equivalent of one A*-B grade this year. This is wonderful.”

Head teacher Suzanne Dickinson said: “These superb results are clear proof of the significant progress that the school has made in the last two years.

“We are immensely proud of the outstanding results that our students have achieved this year. Both students and staff have worked incredibly hard to bring about this success.”

Dartford Science and Technology College

Star performers included Bobbie-Jo Bonello and Sivahamy Kangasuthan who both achieved four A-levels at grades A*, A, B,C.

Chloe Anderson achieved three A Levels at grades A,B,B , Jorna Chowdhery also made great progress and achieved three A-levels at grades A, B, and C.

Alison Chapman, Director of Sixth Form “I am delighted with our students’ performance. Both the students and staff have worked extremely hard.

“Students studying vocational subjects have once again achieved an impressive 100% pass rate, with our academic A-levels achieving 97% with many students achieving the highest grades.

“Students have also been able to secure their first choice university place whilst others have already secured employment and apprenticeships.

"I wish them all every success for the future.”