NERVES and worry turned to joy and relief as students opened their A-level results at Archway School today.

Head teacher Colin Belford was effusive in his praises after the number of students with top marks has gone up again.

Mr Belford said: “Well looking at the atmosphere today, there are happy smiles, tears and young people talking about which universities they're going off to, that’s what it’s all about.

"I’m really happy and delighted for those that have done well.

"I’m not sure what the national picture is, but I know that our very top grades, our A*, A, distinction* and distinction, they’ve just notched up slightly this year, so that’s really pleasing.

"I’m just really proud of them and proud of their achievements."

Many pupils were delighted with their results, including Alex Evans who achieved three A*s.

Alex, 18, got an amazing three A*s, in maths, chemistry and physics.

He'll be heading off to Manchester to study physics.

“It’s amazing, I don’t know what to say, I just couldn’t have gone better!", he said.

"I’m going to study physics at Manchester uni and I want to thank all of my teachers, all the hard-work paid off.”

Great news for Emily Philp as well, she also got top marks.

Emily, 18, got a distinction* in both sport and business as well as an A in photography, and she will head off to Swansea University.

“I’m gobsmacked, shocked, pleased, just over the moon to be honest.

"I’m now going to go to Swansea University to study business management.”

Friends Gemma Stevens and Poppy Riddiford will be going off to UWE together in September and are thrilled with their results.

Gemma said: "It was better than expected.

"Very happy that I got an A* in ICT and distinction* in business, but a bit disappointed that I got a D in geography.

“Well I'm not even going to blink an eye at it anymore.

"We're excited because we got conditional offers from UWE Bristol.”

Poppy got an A in ICT, B in Geography and distiction* in business.

Photos by Simon Pizzey.