It's hats off to the A-team!

Thousands of teenagers across Dorset received their A-level results, which government officials say are the best yet.

Years of study and months of waiting had finally come to an end for the region's youngsters, signalling time to make some of the most important decisions of their lives.

At Blandford School 93 per cent of A-level students achieved grades A-E, and they had the highest ever number of A-grade students. Nicola Argles, Rebecca D'Silva and Emma Rees gained As in all their subjects. Head teacher Sally Wilson said: "I am so delighted at these results which students and staff should be very proud of."

Bournemouth School boys notched up an overall A-level pass rate of 97 per cent. Head teacher John Granger said: "Two boys achieved five grade As and another two have got four. The vast majority of subjects have a 100 per cent pass rate. We are very pleased with the performance this year - even better than last year's."

Alistair Brien, head teacher at Bournemouth School for Girls, said: "We are absolutely delighted by the results achieved, which are among the best here in recent years. They have achieved an impressive 100 per cent pass rate across the board. Sixteen achieved straight As and 60 per cent of all our passes were at A or B grade."

At Bournemouth and Poole College students in the sixth-form centre attained a 91 per cent pass rate, with 31 per cent of those at grades A and B. Other highlights included BTEC and AVCE qualifications with pass rates at 95 per cent while an entire group of students on the BTEC National Diploma in Technical Theatre achieved distinction.

Brockenhurst College A-level students have notched up a pass rate of 96.5 per cent and a 100 per cent pass rate in 20 subjects. It was the eighth consecutive year that its pass rate has been better than the national average and a record 29 students gained three or more grade As, among them Paul Ingram and Catherine Bacon, with four each.

At Canford School half the pupils gained A grades and 78 per cent got A/B grades. Overall, youngsters achieved a 100 per cent pass rate. Three quarters of candidates notched up A grades in politics. Pupil Georgie Fozard will now be able to study medicine at Cambridge thanks to her four A grades at A-level and five at AS-level.

A massive 99 per cent of students at Clayesmore School passed their A-levels and 29 per cent of those grades were As. Sarah Farley is off to veterinary college in September, having achieved five As.

Pupils at Corfe Hills School achieved a 98 per cent pass rate with 24 students achieving at least three separate A grades. Pupils Andrew Fookes and Rosemary Poulter got five grade As each. Head teacher Alan Hinchliffe said: "There is no lowering of standards. However, better teaching at all of the national key stages is undoubtedly raising education standards."

Ferndown Upper School topped the national average with 96.5 per cent passing and 61 per cent of students gaining grades A to C. Among the high-flyers were straight A grade students Anna-Lisa Belk, Rachel Eastwood, Timothy Hancock and India Nash. Student Olivia Howard obtained A to B grades in leisure and tourism and AVCE in English Language.

Highcliffe School also recorded its best ever results with a 97 per cent pass rate among students, including former youth parliament member Jasmine Rouf, who gained three As. And A grades in biology, chemistry and psychology was just what the doctor ordered for Ceris Silverwood, who plans to study medicine at Cardiff University.

At Lytchett Minster School students achieved a 96 per cent pass rate, with 100 per cent in 18 out of the 24 A-level courses on offer. Deputy head Helen Stevens said: "The vast majority of students have exceeded or met the government set targets. Top performing student is Stephanie Turnor from Sandford who achieved three A and two B grades."

At Oakmead College of Technology senior staff say AS/A-level results have improved at greater than the national rate with this year's three per cent higher than last year, compared with a national improvement of 0.6 per cent.

Deputy head Alyn Fendley said: "We are very pleased for all our students."

The girls at Parkstone Grammar continued their high standards with a 99 per cent pass mark and 62 per cent achieving A and B grades. One student who did particularly well was Becki Daly who got one of the top five marks in the country in A-Level business studies. With her four other As, she has secured a place at Cambridge to study land economy.

Senior staff at Poole Grammar have reported record-breaking results, with more than 61 per cent of subject grades at A or B. The following students achieved five or more A grades including AS-level: Vincent Geoghegan, Charles Archer, Edward Hodson, Matthew Butler, Paul Wikramaratna, Allan Lee and James Watts.

Queen Elizabeth School has once again achieved good results with 94 per cent of students gaining grades A to E and 60 per cent A-C. Top of the class were Jonathan Hardwick with three straight As. Head teacher Andy Puttock said: "I am delighted to commend the intense hard work from staff and students."

Ringwood School achieved record A-level results this year, with almost half of its 97 candidates awarded A or B grades and a dozen scoring three As or more. Of the 61 students who applied to go to university, 56 secured places at their first choice, including Oxford and Cambridge.

St Edward's School also had record results, improving by one per cent from last year to get a 99 per cent pass rate, with 45 per cent of pupils achieving A or B, which represented an eight per cent improvement. Jack Adkins got As in maths, further maths, physics and music, and will be the first pupil from the school to study maths at Oxford.

Deputy head at St Peter's RC Comprehensive, Mark Scully, said: "It's been another outstanding year for our students. There were successes across the full range of subjects from the traditional ones to the vocational disciplines such as performing arts, health and social care and business."

At Talbot Heath School, head teacher Christine Dipple said that students were also celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate with a record 91 per cent of A and B grades. "One third of the upper six girls gained A grades in all the subjects they studied," said Ms Dipple. "At AS-level this year the pass rate is 100 per cent, with 67 per cent at grade A."

With grade As in maths, further maths, chemistry, physics and general studies, Emma Benjamin was the five-star premium "grader" among the 120 A-level students at Twynham School. Part of the combined Christchurch Sixth form in partnership with Highcliffe and Grange schools, Twynham students achieved a 98 per cent pass rate.

Sandra Coe, head teacher at Wentworth College, said: "Overall we are pleased with the results which rewarded the girls and their teachers for their hard work over the last two years. Girls are going on to study a range of interesting courses including mechanical engineering, law and Spanish and pharmacy."

The Daily Echo made every effort to contact all schools but some were unavailable.

First published: August 20