It was a huge moment for pupils at schools across Medway today when they got the grades that will determine their immediate future.

Rainham Mark Grammar School
Birthday girl Jamie Podesta picked up her results at Rainham Mark Grammar School, gaining an A* in English literature and As in drama and history. She’s off to the University of East Anglia to study drama and English. To celebrate her results and her 18th birthday, she was planning to buy her first legal drink later on.

Pierce Coveney, 19, achieved 3A* in maths, further maths and geography and an A in physics. He’s going to study civil engineering at the University of Bath. He said: “I’m going to Berlin in September for a music festival so I will celebrate then.”

Head teacher Simon Decker said: “I’d like to congratulate all the students on another good set of results, they’ve all worked so hard and deserve all their success.

“We have some very impressive results again this year particular in English where more than three-quarters of the grades were A*-B. I’d also like to thank all my colleagues for their dedication in achieving this level of success.”

Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti was on hand to congratulate students at Rainham Mark.

He said: “I know students have worked so hard to get here with their teachers doing everything they can to make sure they reach their full potential. Well done all of you.”

Mr Chishti chatted with Lauren Reeves, 18, who achieved three Bs in philosophy and ethics, theatre studies and English literature and an A in her extended project and Charlotte Mullinger, two Bs in financial studies and biology and two Cs in chemistry and psychology.

Rochester Grammar School
It has been another outstanding year for sixth form students at The Rochester Grammar School. An impressive 84.2% of all grades were at A*-B and half of all grades achieved were A* or A.

This represents great success for the school as it is the fifth consecutive year where more than 80% of grades have been at A*-B. This gold standard has enabled students to access some of the UK’s most prestigious universities.

Principle Gwynn Bassan said: “It is a celebratory day for the school and I am immensely proud of all of our students for their outstanding achievements. Their hard work has truly paid off in an impressive way and I am delighted that so many of them will attend their first choice universities.

“I must also thank my wonderfully committed staff for their outstanding teaching and the fantastic support that they have offered to each student.”

Among the students celebrating was Amy Jones from Walderslade, who was heading to Leeds University to study management and human resources after achieving two A* grades and an A.

“It’s exciting but a bit surprising,” she said, “I never knew what I was going to get. Everyone at the school has been really helpful.”

Rebecca Goodhew, from Hempstead, had her eyes set on being a doctor after achieving an A* and two A grades in maths biology and chemistry.

“The teachers have been really good and always go the extra mile,” she said. “There’s always someone in the office to talk to. It’s been five years of hard work.”

Rainham School for Girls

Among those collecting their results at Rainham Schoool for Girls was Ayesha Qureshi who took along her mum for support.

The 18-year-old is off to study urban planning after getting an A and two B grades.

Proud mum Tabassum said: “I’m so proud, I’m on cloud nine. We are going to miss her so much when she goes to university. She is the highlight of our family, she lifts everybody up.”

Emily Love, 18, from Rainham, was going out with her friends after getting three B grades and a C. She is going to the University of Kent. Her friend Holly Lake, 18, from Gillingham, was planning to go for a fry up breakfast with her family to celebrate after getting two B grades and a C. She said: “I thought one of my exams had been terrible so I wasn’t expecting those grades. I’m so relieved.”

Georgina Welton, 18, got an A is psychology, B in sociology and C in media. She said: “I’m so happy. I was really nervous before I opened my results. My mum and dad are really pleased.”

Head teacher Karen Roberts We are delighted with the successes of our students.”

Rochester Math

It has been another superb year for sixth formers at the Rochester Math School.

The Year 13 students who collected their results enjoyed considerable success, with 39% of all grades awarded at A* and A, up 4% from last year, while 65% of all grades secured by these senior students were at A*-B level.

There were 26 students, 18% of the year group, gained three or four A*/A grades, up from last year. There were five youngsters who secured three or four A* grades alone.

Greenacre and Walderslade Partnership

The Partnership of Greenacre and Walderslade Sixth Form, known as PGW, has celebrated another year of great results at A-level and advanced vocational level courses.

Shelly Bridger, acting head of school at Greenacre Academy, said: “As ever, we are proud of the results of our sixth form students. To achieve these results in a climate of such educational change is simply fantastic; our staff, students and their families should be justifiably proud.”

Mark Dallas, director of sixth form at Greenacre Academy said: “These results show that barriers can be overcome and all students can achieve when given support to realise their potential.”

Walderslade Girls’ head teacher Louise McGowan praised the students and staff on the school’s 100% pass rate.

She said: “These amazing results with the most number of A and B grades we have achieved have surpassed all my expectations and demonstrate the sheer will and tenacity of the girls to get where they want to be.”

Izzy Hedges, 18, achieved a distinction in music, distinction* in performing arts and a distinction* distinction in music technology in her BTECs. She is going to the University of Central Lancaster to study musical theatre.

She said: “I’m a little bit in shock. I was expecting a distinction but not this.”

Jess Robinson, 18, is off travelling in her gap year after getting an A in health and social care, B in geography, B in sociology, and a C in biology.

She said: “I’m surprised and really chuffed.”

Chatham Grammar School for Girls

Among the success stories at Chatham Girls was Meher Khushal, 18, who achieved two A* grades in politics and sociology and a B in economics.

She is off to Warwick university to study to politics and international studies along with close friend Grace Fox who gained three As in classics, politics and psychology.

She said: “I’m thrilled I can’t believe it.”

Jane Singer, associate head teacher, said: “I am delighted to be celebrating the impressive AS and A-level results and the personal achievements of our sixth form students.

"The commitment they gave to their studies, alongside the dedication and expertise of the teaching staff, all helped to secure this success. Most won places at the universities of their choice.

"Whatever our students choose to do, we wish them well as they pursue their ambitions beyond school.”

Thomas Aveling

Students at Thomas Aveling School, Rochester, were celebrating when they collected their excellent results yesterday. Pupils at the school, for the second year running, passed all of their A-levels and vocational qualifications.

Some top performers included Caitlin Smith who gained A grades in English literature and geography and a B grade in biology and is looking forward to studying geography at Loughborough University and Martin Field who gained an A* in photography, a distinction* and distinction in art and is taking textiles and surface design at Buckingham.

Head teacher Paul Jackson said: “As the world becomes a much more competitive place, gaining these top grades will hold our students in good stead for high flying careers but the other side of education; the developing of fine young adults able to think for themselves, contribute strongly to society and communicate with a variety of audiences is equally important and something that we pride ourselves on here at Thomas Aveling.”

King’s School
King’s Rochester is celebrating another year of top A-level results. Just under a third of all passes were the coveted A* and A grades and 58% were top grades A* to B. Eighty three per cent of all passes were A* to C. This year the 40% of students in the grammar stream at this broad-ability school achieved an average points score per pupil equivalent to three A* grades each.

Principal Jeremy Walker said: “This has been another impressive year for our A-level results. But, as a high-achieving, broad-ability school we are just as interested in the value we add to a pupil’s results. Not everyone can be a straight A-grade student but if a pupil is taught in ways which help them to better understand their subjects, then they will improve and realise the best results they possibly can.”

Rochester Independent College

Students at Rochester Independent College (RIC), which offers the chance for pupils to re-take their exams, were celebrating securing places at their first choice universities and, for some, finally achieving their dreams of university and even medical school.

Ella has a place to study history at SOAS, University of London, the world’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Retake student Abi Wong has demonstrated that following your ambitions can lead to places at medical school.

She said: “Having set my heart on medicine, I was devastated when I fell short of the grades I needed last year for the offer I held at Bart’s.

"This year has only better prepared me for university and I now feel fully equipped to take on the new challenge. I was over the moon to achieve two offers for medicine and am ready to start at Exeter Medical School in September 2016.”

Dr Todd Dedman, head of sixth form at RIC, said: “The success of students like Abi demonstrates that one bad year doesn’t have to mean the end to higher education plans.

“The college has always been a centre of excellence for science and it is exciting to work with sixth form students aiming to become doctors, dentists, vets and other medically related professions.”