The wait was finally over for A-level and International Baccalaureate students across Thanet as they collected their results today.

Here are the reactions of pupils and staff.

Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School

Owen Crush, 18, was celebrating after finding out that his results of an A* and two As had won him a place at Oxford University to study English.

He said: “I’m the first in my family to go to university.

“I did a summer school at Oxford so I always had it in mind and I’ve been aiming for it since Year 10 and it has just grown and grown as a goal.”

“I did a summer school at Oxford so I always had it in mind and I’ve been aiming for it since Year 10..." Owen Crush

Owen, from Ramsgate, starts at the university’s Pembroke College in October.

Despite being one of the school’s star performers at A-level this year, Kathryn Cutler Mackenzie wasn’t entirely happy with her results.

The 18-year-old gained three A*s in art and design, English literature and film studies and an A in French.

She said: “I’m so disappointed because I underachieved in my French oral exam.

“I have mixed feelings about my results because I feel like I’ve let myself down.

“My French teacher worked so hard with me and was so brilliant that I wanted a good result.”

But Kathryn now has a number of university offers to choose from.

She said: “I’ll probably go to Edinburgh to study fine arts.”

Two students are preparing to start studying medicine and become doctors.

“My A-levels were tough because I was dealing with my grandmother’s sickness as she fought pancreatic cancer...” Ashcaan Hajilou

Ahsan Ashfaq’s three As will see him take up a place at Cardiff and Ashcaan Hajilou gained one A* and two As, and is heading to London’s King’s College.

He said: “I feel great because there are around 10 applicants per place there. I’d like to specialise in surgery but I hear that people often change their minds during the five years of study.

“My A-levels were tough because I was dealing with my grandmother’s sickness as she fought pancreatic cancer.”

Pupils achieved an overall pass rate of 98.5%, delighting head teacher Debra Liddicoat.

She said: “I am incredibly proud of all our students and the hard work they have put in over the last two years to achieve these results, they are well deserved.

“I would like to thank the staff for their dedication and continued support of students, without which these results would not be possible.”

The Royal Harbour Academy

The first group of sixth-form pupils at The Royal Harbour Academy passed 100% of exams and courses in both A-levels and International Baccalaureate (IB).

Distinction star (D*) is the highest IB qualification, equal to an A* in an A-level.

Zoe Whittle Darrock achieved D*, D*,D* in sports studies as did Lucas Deveson.

Ronnie Georgiou also gained three D*s in public services alongside an International Baccalaureate diploma.

The 18-year-old said: “I am really proud of how well I did. I worked really hard.
“I’m going to have a gap year now, I think I will go to university next year but I’m not entirely sure what I want to study yet.

“Unfortunately I’ve got to go to work today but I’m sure I’ll do something at the weekend.”

Connor Atchison achieved two D* grades and three merits, he said: “I am going to college to study catering in September.

“I want to get into the catering business because my mum is a professional chef. I’ll be celebrating by going home and having a drink!”

Head teacher Simon Pullen said: “Students and staff have worked very hard to make sure that everyone has achieved their very best.”

Head of the International Baccalaureate Programme Linda Regan said: “I am very proud of all the students who have worked so hard over the past two years. They have had a huge impact on the life and running of the school and I wish them well at university and in their future careers.”

St Lawrence College

Principal Antony Spencer said: “St Lawrence College is celebrating another set of outstanding A Level results, with a substantial increase of over 10% in the number of the top A*-B grades.

“The overall results are superb and are made up of a great number of individual success stories, where pupils have worked hard and obtained their deserved success and we are very proud of all of them.”

Amongst the highest individual performers were three local boys.

Christian Tofte will study Spanish and Czech at Oxford University after obtaining grades of A*AAA.

Matthew Cragg achieved four A* grades and will study mathematics at Warwick University.

Rudy Hagemichael also obtained four A* grades and will be going to Bristol University to study computer science.

Hartsdown Academy

Students have recorded the school’s best A-level results with 100 per cent pass rate.

The average attainment grade has risen by one grade, while a distinction pass is the average for vocational studies with many students receiving the higher distinction starred result.

Top students included Ben Sheppard, Whitney Griffin, Claudia Crome, Annie Golesworthy, Raz Miah, Josh Nicholls, and Callum Pease.

Annie, 19, is heading to the University of Arts in London to study media and communications.

She said: “I was up really early, around 5am, and as soon as I could get online to check if I had been accepted for university, I did. I have loved my time at Hartsdown but cannot wait to get on with the next stage of my education.”

Josh Nicholls, 19, gained the highest average A-level points score of the year group.

He is going to Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, Lancashire, to study musical theatre.

Kiera Reynolds 18, and Callum Pease, also 18, have been in the same class since they were infants.

Kiera is going to Reynolds Training Academy in Dartford to study musical theatre that includes acting, dancing and singing.

Callum is going to Christ Church University in Canterbury to take a degree in primary teaching.

He said: “There are not many men in primary education in the UK and I think it is important to change that. I am really looking forward to helping younger generations with their learning.”

Amy Caudell, who is studying performing arts at Canterbury Christ Church University, added: “It has been great learning performing arts techniques and performance skills here but now I want to take it to the next level.”

Head of sixth form studies Jessica Gipson said: "These are excellent results. Our students have shown that hard work coupled with terrific support from their teachers and families pays.

“Most of the students are heading for their choice of university, higher education, training or employment.”

Dane Court Grammar School

The pass rate for International Baccalaureate diploma was 99% at Dane Court.

Among the highest achievers were Daniel Van Hinsbergh, Prudence Vary, Alice Rawson, Esme Votta, Megan Jackson, Daniel Goodbourn, Amy Napier, Ben Parsons and Martin Docherty.

Head of school Andrew Fowler said: “We are delighted that our students have excelled, reaching and exceeding their own ambitious targets.

“I am very proud of all our students and I congratulate them and their teachers on their success.”

Pupils are now set to join universities such as Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Durham, Exeter and Kent.

St George’s Foundation School

St George’s had a number of students who achieved their top choice university.

Jazmin Davey achieved a B in A-level mathematics and two D* grades in business and health a social care.

She said: “I have got a place at Canterbury Christchurch University and I will be studying accounting and finance.

“I am excited to meet new people and make new friends.

“I’m not celebrating today but I’m off on holiday tomorrow.”

Jared Gisby obtained three A-levels in history, religious studies and maths.

He gained a place at the University of Essex to study financial maths.

The 18-year-old said: “I’m excited about the course, I can’t wait to get to university and study in that higher level of education.

“I’ll be celebrating with my friends in Canterbury later.”

Abbie Godfrey was happy after gaining her place at Southampton Solent University.

She said: “I got Cs which means I’ve got into university and I’m really happy about that.

“I’m studying English and media. I’m looking forward to living in the city and the different lifestyle. Learning everything new and going to lectures.

“I’m off to a festival this weekend and I will be celebrating then.”