Oxbridge, medical schools and pilot training are just some of the next steps students will be taking after collecting their A-Level results today.
Despite tougher marking in place to address grade inflation due to the Covid pandemic, the Watford Observer discovered many success stories.
Schools across the borough praised their students as this cohort would not have sat external GCSE exams.
- Students in and around Watford receive A-Level results - live updates
- Police close town centre road as ambulances called - live updates
The Grange Academy in London Road, Bushey, expressed its pride as 46 per cent of pupils got at least one A* to B grade or the BTEC equivalent.
One of its students, Jack Mantrippe, will be heading to Leading Edge Aviation in Oxford for a flight course.
He said: “I'm really happy, my results were ok but with my course I got the results I needed.
"I can’t wait to start learning to be a pilot."
Harry Debenham was the only pupil at the school to achieve an A*, also getting two Bs. He said: “I'm really happy with results, I am proud of myself.
"My teachers gave me loads of support as we were affected by Covid but I am so happy with my results and my university offer."
Among the top achievers highlighted by staff were Mehreen Tipu, who received two As and B and will study law at Royal Holloway; Louise Shepherd, who got a C and a Distinction* and will study education at Southampton; and Aliyah Rahman who will go to York to study psychology after bagging three Bs.
Principal Danny Bryant said: "Despite the challenges faced by these students in the course of their educational journey of the last three years, many of them have achieved wonderful results, demonstrating their positive work ethic and commitment to their studies."
The school thanked its students and their parents as well as teachers and staff for “their unwavering support and collective effort in making these results possible”.
Success continued at Kings Langley Secondary School in Love Lane.
Of the school’s 82 students, 70.3 per cent received A* to C grades and 18.3 per cent gained the top grades of A* to A.
Many of the students will now go on to university or take up apprenticeships.
Principal assistant headteacher, James Tubb, said: "The achievements and successes of our students today is the realisation of hard work and determination shown by our students during several years of disturbed education.
“The successes of our students on this A-Level results day continue to inspire us all that despite challenges, the unrelenting focus on preparing for the future and aspirations serves us the platform for unlocking potential for life.”
Parmiter’s School in High Elms Lane revealed that 44 per cent of all grades were A*/A with 70 per cent of grades being A*/A/B.
The school added that some of its students have secured places at Oxford, Cambridge or medical schools.
A spokesperson congratulated the pupils for their hard work and added that the “overwhelming majority of students attained their first choice of university”.
They added: “We are delighted for them and their incredibly supportive families that they have achieved the success they so deserve.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here