Thousands of Hertfordshire teenagers discovered today whether they made the grade in their A-levels.

It was cheers for some and tears for others as the 17 and 18-year-olds opened the envelopes to learn how they had performed in exams.

Watford Observer:

For some, success will mean a place at their chosen university, apprenticeship or training programme.

While for others disappointing grades will spell a nervous phone call to UCAS as they seek to secure place at their chosen university through clearing.

This summer saw the proportion of A Levels scoring at least an A grade fall for the second year running after more than 20 years of increases.

More than half of UK A Level students are expected to opt to go on to university.

Brainy pupils at Kings Langley School are bucking the national trend by returning their best ever set of exam results with Jack Edmunds achieving three A* grades to become the first student from the school to study at Oxbridge reading History at Mansfield College, Oxford.

At Watford Grammar School for Boys 57 per cent of pupils achieved A* or A grades while 82 per cent managed A* to B grades.

Martin Post, Headmaster, said: "Congratulations to all the students and staff for their superb efforts.

"These results highlight, once again, that state education of this calibre offers excellent outcomes for young people, whatever their background, and for the country as a whole."

Bushey Academy also celebrated its best ever A-Levels, managing 100 per cent pass rate and 40 per cent of students receiving A* to B grades.

Among the most successful pupils were Muhammad Hussain who got four A grades and one A* to read medicine at Queen Mary’s, University of London.

Principal Andrew Hemmings said: "I am incredibly pleased with these results.

"The students have worked hard with the support of their teachers, and deserve the impressive grades they have achieved."

At Queens’ School in Bushey headteacher Terence James said grades had risen significantly since last year and for the second year running they’ll have a student going on to study medicine at Cambridge.

He said: "I think students are becoming increasingly aware of how hard they have got to work to get the grades.

"They know how competitive it is and I would say that students know that these really high grades don’t grow on trees, they have got to work very hard to achieve them."

Northwood College enjoyed a 99.4 per cent pass rate with almost 50 per cent of the girls achieving A* and A grades and almost all will now be going to their first choice university.

Twins, Claire and Helen Middleton, achieved seven A grades between them. Claire is going to Southampton University to read chemistry, whilst Helen is going to Bath University to read bio-chemistry.

Headmistress Jacqualyn Pain said: "I am delighted with this fantastic set of results and would like to congratulate all the girls on their achievements."

Boys at Merchant Taylors’ School enjoyed a perfect pass rate with 73.3 per cent managing A* or A grades.

Headmaster Stephen Wright said: "Quite rightly, the focus is on the students today, but I am also very proud of our teachers, whose dedication has ensured - for the seventh year running - that almost three-quarters of all our students have achieved A grades or better."