The anxious wait is over for hundreds of A-level exam takers in Sittingbourne and on Sheppey who found out their results this morning.

At Fulston Manor more than 60 students have been offered places at universities.

Head teacher Alan Brookes said a significant number of students had opted for universities close to home, such as Kent, as well as Canterbury Christ Church.

Among the top performers were Lauren Rogers (three As, one C) who is off to study politics at Newcastle, Danielle Cross (one A, two Bs and a D) who plans to do anthropology at Durham and Rhiannon England (two Bs and a D) who will be doing astronomy, space science and astrophysics at the University of Kent.

Mr Brookes said: “It is good to see so many students achieving the grades they needed to progress on to the next stage of their lives.

"Our results are broadly in line with those of last year, which is an achievement in itself given the increased challenge of the examinations.

"We are immensely proud of the success of our young people and wish them all well for the future.”

At Highsted Grammar School, Tehti Patel got an A* in geography, her extended project and an A in biology, chemistry and French. She plans to go to King's College in London to study medicine.

Frances Tiernan-Powell, assistant head teacher, said: "Once again it has been another record year for students completing their A-Level studies at Highsted Grammar School.

"We are very proud of how our students have performed this year, they have risen to the increased challenge and achieved excellent results."

She added: "There are some amazing individual successes across the full range of academic achievement. At the top end, an exceptional number of students gained straight A/A* grades.

"Maria Doria, Anna Kent and Sian Lo all achieved three A* and one A each.

"One fifth of the cohort achieved three or more A*/A which is an exceptional achievement when nationally the percentage of students securing a C grade or above has fallen.

"Students have demonstrated a firm commitment to learning and success that is evident in their outstanding results. We wish them every success in their further education and careers."

At the Oasis Academy on Sheppey, Erin Wright was delighted with her Distinction in health and social care. She said she wanted to do nursing and childcare after a gap year.

She joined friend Darcey West who took home a Distinction and two Merits, as she aims to accept and offer to study at Canterbury Christ Church University to learn about early childhood studies.

Jodie Chopping picked up the highest grade Distinction* in a brand new musical theatre course.

She said: "I'm going to the University of Kent in September to study drama and theatre. I'm really excited and I want to be a teacher, maybe in a primary school.

"My mum was very pleased, she's really proud."

Principal Tina Lee said: "This is the first time kids get a chance to look at what deeper studying is about.

"This is evidence of continued study growth. We've not done anything this year that's alarmingly brilliant but we weren't planning to – we want to increase our strength bit by bit so our pupils get the best out of it."

At Borden Grammar School, it was another year of positive results, with Year 13s achieving some of the best grades the school has had.

A number of students achieved three or more A* and A grades among their results. They were Dominic Byrne, Joshua Diddams, Matthew Doria, Jack Edwards, Luke Friend, Scott Hazell, Jonathan Idowu, Luke Newcombe, Samuel O’Brien, Thomas Saunders and Connor Wade.

Ben Yardley performed particularly well with an A*, two As and a B. He is due to take up a place at Worcester College, Oxford University to study history.

Borden's head of sixth-form Chris Brinn said: "All students have worked hard for their results and are to be congratulated on all they have achieved and also for all that they have contributed to the life of the school.

"They have provided excellent leadership amongst the student body, and have bright futures ahead of them."

Students at Westlands School and Sittingbourne Community College now study under the joint banner of Swale Sixth Form across three sites.

Out of 108 exam takers, 99 of them achieved at least one A* to C.

Top performer was Michael Warman who achieved three A*s and a C in business, finance, history and the extended project. He will be going to the University of Kent where he will be studying politics and international relations.

Max Pearn got a double A* award in engineering, along with maths and physics, and will be taking up employment as a robotics technician at Ocado.

Westland head Simon Cox said: "A solid set of results, within a backdrop of significant change, is testament to the hard work of our students, support from parents and the expertise of our staff. Well done to all."

At SCC, Rebecca Berntsen, who received an A in law, B in literature and a distinction in BTEC business, will be going to the University of Kent to study Law.

Anzil Puertogallera got three distinctions in computing, IT and business and is also going to Kent University to study business information technology with a year in industry.

An SCC spokesman said: "We wish all our students the very best of luck as they embark on degrees, apprenticeships and employment."