Students from across St Albans were on tenterhooks yesterday as they ripped open their exam grades.

For many, their A-Level results shaped whether or not they got into their first choice university.

Roundwood Park received its best ever set of A Level results and headteacher Alan Henshall congratulated all the students for their hard work which led to these well-deserved grades.

He thanked all of the support and teaching staff who have helped them achieve their dreams. He also added that we could not have done it without the support of parents.

Beaumont School also had a record number of A level results, with the highest number of A* grades they have had, despite the new style of exams.

Head of Sixth Form Paul de Kort said: “Our students rose to the challenge of the new courses, with several achieving straight A or A* grades, earning them places at prestigious Russell Group universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) and an unprecedented six students studying Medicine this year.”

St Albans School Sixth Formers achieved a record of 34 per cent of A* grades in this year's results, beating the previous best of 25 per cent in 2015.

Nine pupils achieved four A*s and 22 pupils got at least 3 A*s.

Headteacher Jonathan Gillespie said: “I am delighted by this year’s outstanding A-Level results, which are testament to the commitment and dedication shown by our sixth formers and our teaching staff.

"I congratulate all our leavers and wish them every success in the future.”

Verulam students celebrated an excellent set of A-Level results with many accepting places at their first choice university.

Alex Proudman was delighted with his 3 A*s which secured his place at Oxford to study Engineering Science.

Zishaan Uddin is the third of four brothers to attend Verulam and was delighted to gain a place at Loughborough University studying Accounting and Financial Management.

Megan Campbell joined Verulam in Year 12 and has developed a passion for Geography which she will pursue at Southampton University.

Students at Sir John Lawes School also found out whether they would be going to their first-choice university.

Head Boy, Tom Pigram, celebrated his 3 A* grades that mean he will attend Balliol College, Oxford to read English and German.

Head of 6th Form, Cait Rickard said: “Despite the anxieties caused by the new style of examination, we are delighted by how well our students have performed and thrilled to see so many of them heading off to university or into careers with such strong results.”