STUDENTS from across West Dorset are celebrating after achieving 'outstanding' A-level results.

A total of 96 per cent of A-level students at the Sir John Colfox School passed their exams, with 67 per cent obtaining at least one A-C pass grade.

At Beaminster the figure was 98 per cent, with 82 per cent gaining at least one A-C pass grade.

And students from Woodroffe Comprehensive School at Lyme Regis chalked up a 97 per cent pass rate, with 40 per cent achieving A-B grades.

Sir John Colfox School headteacher Kay Taylor said they were very pleased with the students' achievements.

She said: "I am delighted that all the students' hard work has paid off."

She said some students did particularly well and the two top achievers were Emiley Scammell, 18, from Uploders and Jessica Booth, 18, from West Bexington who both gained two As and 1 B.

Emiley will read Geography at Reading University while Jessica goes to Cardiff University to read English Literature.

Other top performers included Barry Joseph, Carly McCulloch, Jonathan Pritchard and Katy Stocker.

At AS level 55 per cent of students achieved at least two grade A-Cs. Students with particularly good results were Rachel Fox, Bridget Andrews, Emma Still, Aimee Bowles, Ben Michaud, Aisling Creedon, Hannah Linford, Helen Webber, Nicola Park, Chris Bull and Dominic Cleal.

"These are excellent results at this stage," said Mrs Taylor. "I have no doubt that next year's results will be outstanding if the students maintain this standard. AS examinations are particularly difficult for many students and A2 results are often better."

At Beaminster School yesterday's A-level results showed a continued improvement in line with the national trend.

Headteacher Mike Best said: "This is excellent news for all concerned. 98 per cent of our students achieved passes at A-level - well above the national average.

"We are delighted that they have done so well. 82 per cent of students achieved at least one A-C pass grade and 35 per cent of students achieved A and B grades. At AS level results are very promising. 68 per cent of students achieved at least two grade A-C passes and several students achieved four A grades.

"We look forward to outstanding results next year.

"On a personal level, students have a great deal to be proud of and their results reflect their hard work and commitment.

"Whilst these figures reflect the achievement of students at Beaminster School, outcomes should also be seen in the context of the Beaminster-Colfox Combined Sixth form."

Dr Richard Steward, principal of Woodroffe School, said they were pleased with the results.

He added: "All our students worked incredibly hard this year and it is a pleasure to see them achieve the results they deserve."

Outstanding individual performances came from Richard Bugler, who secured himself a place at Cambridge studying medicine, with three As and two Bs.

Jenna Waugh will be joining Richard at Cambridge to study History of Art, having bagged four straight As, while others including Rosie Wiscombe, Tom McCoy, Karolyn Mandy and Abigail Jenkin all scored highly with As and Bs.