THOUSANDS of nervous students were today tearing open A level results to learn if their hard work has been enough to make the grade.

For many, pounding hearts and sweaty palms were replaced with jubilant celebrations after spending an anxious summer waiting to discover how they fared.

Headteachers and principals were already toasting record-breaking results this morning.

At Northgate High School, in Sidegate Lane West, 251 students sat A-levels, with 81per cent achieving grades A* to C and 99pc achieving A* to E.

Headteacher David Hutton said: “I am delighted that nearly 60pc of all A-level awards were graded A* to B, enabling a lot of students to take up places at top universities like Oxford or Cambridge or study elsewhere on competitive courses like medicine or mathematics.

“However, I am equally pleased that no less than 64 Northgate students voluntarily chose to take an extra qualification on top of their A Levels.”

At Suffolk One, staff are celebrating the first batch of students to receive their A-levels since the institution opened two years ago.

Of the 309 students who sat their A-levels, 73pc received grades A* to C and 98pc achieved A* to E grades.

Vice principal Jenny Milsom said: “Early indications suggest that we have met and exceeded expectations. So we would like to congratulate students and staff on their excellent efforts.”

Students at Suffolk New College were also opening the all-important brown envelopes today.

The college had a 100pc pass rate, with 69pc receiving grades A* to C.

Professor Dave Muller, principal at Suffolk New College, said: “We have had yet another successful year with our A-level results. It is tremendous to see what our students have achieved from their studies, along with the excellent support from their lecturers.”

Early indications at St Albans High School, in Digby Road, also showed that results had improved upon last year’s.

Headteacher Dennis McGarry said: “Our initial analysis reveals a significant improvement on last year’s excellent results. Congratulations to our students and many thanks to our staff for all their hard work.”

Almost half of Ipswich School’s A-level students received A* or A grades after two years of hard work, with seven students getting three or more A* grades.

There were 118 students taking exams this year with 92.6pc awarded A*-C grades, and 100pc awarded A*-E grades.

For full coverage on results day don’t miss tomorrow’s Star.

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