It’s a cause for celebration for schools across Marlow as they celebrate their best A-Level results yet.

Despite the fall in the national average of results, 57 per cent of grades achieved at Sir Willam Borlase Grammar School were A* - A, a three per cent rise on last year, with an overall pass rate of 99.8 per cent.

Almost all students secured their first choice university places, with 14 students going to Oxford or Cambridge.

Headteacher, Dr Peter Holding, said: “It’s been such a good year, I couldn’t be more pleased.

“This was an exceptional year group, and we are very proud of their successes, which have come as the result of their own hard work and the dedicated teaching and support they have all received.”

Head Boy, Akil Hashmi achieved four A*s and has a place at Cambridge to study Engineering, although he is thinking about deferring his place for a year to work in the industry.

“I am very happy, it’s good to know that working hard does pay off. You never quite know how it’s going to work out; it’s just such a great feeling when it does.

“It’s also such a credit to the school and teachers too.”

Grace Bolton, who achieved two A*s and two A’s and is going to study Maths and Economics at Nottingham said:  “I really didn’t expect it, especially the A* in economics. I thought I’d get a B, maybe scrape an A, so I’m really pleased.”

Students at Great Marlow school also performed excellently with 20 per cent of students achieving A*-A grades along with their highest percentage of A*-B grades yet at 52.2 per cent.

The total pass rate at the school was 99 per cent.

Head teacher, Geralyn Wilson said: “We’re very moved, this is the best year we’ve had at this school yet.”

 “These results demonstrate that the School is continuously providing high quality education to students in Marlow and in the wider Marlow area and more importantly, that students feel challenged and supported to achieve their very best.”

Head Girl, Antonia Miles who achieved two A*s and two A’s and is going to Birmingham to study Geography said: “I’m completely overwhelmed, ecstatic. I thought my exams didn’t go well and I was really upset after a couple of them so to find this out today is such a relief.”

Rebecca Mooney exceeded all expectations achieve an A* and two B’s after a difficult year for her and her family.

Her Father, Anthony Mooney, was diagnosed with throat cancer in September last year and sadly died on August 4.

Miss Mooney has now been offered two university places, one at Exeter to study International Relations and German and another at St. Andrews to study German.

Miss Mooney said: “I was initially encouraged to take time off but it just wasn’t an option for me. My parents wanted me to carry on studying and I was determined to finish.

“I felt guilty about not spending time with my Dad, but when I got home in the evening he would always be there to help me.

“All three of us worked through this year together. We had a lovely trip up to St Andrew’s recently to visit the uni, and it was just such a beautiful, amazing place. We all loved it so much.”

Rebecca’s Mum, Anne-Marie Mooney credited the school for their excellent support throughout the year.

She said: “The school have been great with supporting us throughout. They’ve been like a second family which is exactly what you need.”

Director of sixth form, Owen Hollyman, took the chance to congratulate his students saying: “This has been an outstanding group of students who have contributed so much to the life of the school and the community in Marlow and now can justifiably be very proud of their academic achievements.”