A summer of anticipation came to an end for A-level students today as they headed back to schools around Stroud to collect their results.

In a day that saw both celebrations and heartbreak, students and staff reunited to find out whether their efforts in the classroom and beyond had paid off.

It was also the second time students in England had sat A-levels after the qualification was changed to place less emphasis on coursework and more on students being graded on final exams.

Many students already knew whether they were set for good or bad news before passing through the school gates because they could check online early in the morning to see if they had met their university offers.

But that did not stop school grounds across Stroud bearing witness to emotional highs, lows and even some bewilderment.

“It’s such a weird feeling - but I’m definitely happy,” said Callum from Marling School sixth form, who is now shortly off to university in London to study philosophy, politics and economics.

Likewise, when the SNJ tried to speak to Demi, a Stroud High School sixth former ecstatic with her A* and two As, she replied: “Sorry - I’m just so overwhelmed!”

For some it was a day of surprise. As the SNJ chatted to Callum, his friend Hugo - also from Marling - walked over, stunned by the revelation he had achieved not one nor two but four A*s.

Success stories kept on coming throughout the day - take Wycliffe pupil India Duke from Wotton-under-Edge who is heading to Oxford University after getting two A*s and As in chemistry, economics and maths.

For others, results day left them disappointed but determined.

Theseus, who had headed to Archway School to collect his AS level results, was disappointed with his grade in maths.

He wants to study computer science at Oxford, having spent his summer on a project looking beef up cyber-security against new developments in quantum computing.

“I’m a perfectionist, so I’m disappointed - but I knew this was coming, I messed up my timing when I took my maths exam.

“I think I might drop geography to focus on maths.”

Aside from proving the dedication of students to their studies, results day also demonstrated the commitment of school staff around Stroud.

Archway headteacher Colin Belford, who looked on as students found out how they had done, was quick to walk Theseus through his results and guide him on what he should do next.

Theseus then headed off to find out how his girlfriend, who studies at Cirencester College, had done.

“I'm very proud of the students - they've worked so hard and we've had a fantastic set of results this morning,” Mr Belford later said.