STAFF and students at Richmond School were celebrating after gaining a 99 per cent pass rate and with more students than in recent years going to their first choice university.

Richmond School headteacher Ian Robertson said: “There was a terrific atmosphere at the school as students celebrated their Advanced Level results.

“More students than in previous years gained entry into their chosen university as the school recorded a 99 per cent pass rate.

“Students and staff are to be congratulated, their hard work and focus throughout the year has reaped its reward. Year 12 should also be congratulated for gaining outstanding AS results.

“One fifth of all students gained A* to A grades – and outstanding results were achieved by Rosie Allison, Jade Kelly, Alex Brown, Miles Hunter, Natalie Lowe, Steven Male and Elizabeth MacNamara who gained all A* to A grades. “

At Ripon Grammar School, more than three quarters of all A Level results were a B or better, with some exceptional individual performances.

Top performing girl, Kate Bernard, of Whashton, near Richmond, is to read medicine at Sheffield University after achieving three A*s in French, chemistry and biology.

“I was very nervous. My knees were shaking as I read my results but I’m so happy with them,” she said.

Twm (correct) Stone, from Oswaldkirk, near Helmsley, topped performance charts with five A*s in chemistry, maths, physics, further maths and the EPQ (extended project qualification), and is to read maths at Cambridge University.