A tidal wave of jubilation swept across north Essex today as A-level students celebrated the best set of results ever.

Among the first to open their results were girls at Colchester County High School for Girls.

The 82 pupils who sat 343 exams passed every single one, with more than 60 per cent of exams achieving an A grade. Every girl leaves the school with a minimum of three A-levels, and nine pupils left with five A-grades.

Twins Bahar and Negar Mirshekar-Syahkal are both celebrating after scooping five A-grades in identical subjects. They are both set to study medicine at Cambridge University.

Students set new standards at Colchester Royal Grammar School, breaking all previous A-level records. They achieved an overall pass rate of more than 99 per cent and an A and B grade pass rate of 84 per cent.

Colchester Sixth Form College achieved its best-ever set of A-level results.

The 900-odd students achieved an overall pass rate of more than 95 per cent and an A-C grade rate of 65 per cent.

Royal Grammar School headmaster Ken Jenkinson was delighted with the results from his school and the fact the students have managed to combine examination success with a commitment to the wider life of the school.

At Colbayns High, Clacton, 31 students entered for two or more examinations achieved a total of 80 pass grades from 94 entries, giving a pass rate of 85 per cent, which is up on last year's figure.

At Clacton County High School, staff were equally delighted with the results.

"Whilst it is difficult to make comparisons with previous years, our initial analysis suggests they represent the best ever results at the school," said senior vice principal, Jeff Brindle.

"Three students gained five A-levels and 20 achieved success in four subjects."

The Harwich School had its best ever results achieving a 90.5 per cent pass rate, up by 9.5 per cent on last year.

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