Joyous pictures of A-level results day across the Stroud area

There were emotional scenes as hundreds of excited teenagers ripped open the envelopes which they hoped would hold the key to a place on their first-choice university course or dream apprenticeship.

Headteachers were quick to praise the hard work and dedication of both students and staff which went into securing this year's grades.

And there were touching moments as teachers wished students a fond farewell as they set off to prepare for the next stage in their educational journey.

Archway School

Headteacher Kieron Smith said: "We are very pleased with the A level and BTEC grades that our students achieved this year.

"The important measure of progress for students in these two qualifications has once again seen an improvement which is a testament to the hard work of the students and teachers alike. 

"There were some exceptional students in the class of '24. 

"One student's A* in both maths and physics, A in chemistry and B in further maths was particularly impressive, as was another's A* in both theatre studies and photography and an A in history. 

"Across the wide variety of subjects studied, students were happy to see that their hard work had paid off; the vast majority have now managed to secure places at their first-choice colleges and universities."

Cirencester College

Cirencester College students have much to celebrate after collecting their A-level, vocational and T Level results, with top grades across the board.

As of August 15, 460 students had secured their first choice at university.

Among the happy students with a connection to the Stroud area was Verity, formerly of Thomas Keble School, who is leaving the college with an A* and two As in her A-levels.

Verity is going on to study clinical health and psychology at the University of Gloucestershire.

"I am feeling very proud and cannot believe it," she said.

"I can’t wait to study psychology at university."

Lara, previously of Archway School, gained a top distinction grade in creative media production and now looks forward to starting at the University of Salford, where she will be studying television and radio production.

Lara said: “I am so proud of myself.

"I loved my time at Cirencester College - it was so much fun and gave me so much confidence ready for my future."

It was another year of exceptional T Level grades, with the third cohort of students receiving their results.

Cirencester College was one of the first institutions to pioneer T Level qualifications and on Thursday, August 15 saw 27 students gain top grades.

Ewan, formerly of Maidenhill School, gained a place at the University of Exeter after achieving a distinction in T Level engineering and a B in A-level maths.

An excited and relieved Ewan said: “I feel proud of my accomplishments and happy that I got into a good university.

"All of the practical projects in engineering were lots of fun.”

Also among the T Level success stories is Ella, who gained the top grade of a Distinction* in education and childcare.

"I am ecstatic," said Ella. 

"Words cannot explain how I feel.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my course, and it has given me a true insight into what I want to do in the future."

College principal Matt Reynolds said: "We are absolutely delighted with our results this year.

"I’d like to offer a huge congratulations to all of our learners who have done so well and also well-deserved thanks to our brilliant staff who have helped them get there.

"I am really proud that this year’s students have done so well.

"Our grammar cohort has done exceptionally well this year, our T Level students have been particularly strong and there was impressive vocational achievement across the board.”

Wycliffe College

Wycliffe College said that pupils, parents and staff were celebrating with A-level results that 'reflect the diverse nature of the [school] community'.

More than eight out of every 10 grades were A* to C, and actual A* to B performance was 25 per cent better than expectations.

A range of fantastic individual achievements was being lauded, including that of Eloise Etherington, whose four A*s in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics have secured her a place at the University of Cambridge to read natural sciences.

Another high achiever was Aidan Kitching, whose two A*s and an A in maths, philosophy and ethics and history mean that he will join The University of Warwick to read politics, philosophy and economics.

Among some 28 subjects available in the sixth form at Wycliffe College, maths was the most popular A-level this summer - studied by more than a quarter of all leavers. 

Psychology and business were similarly popular.

Continued commitment to and support for creative subjects saw substantial numbers of students do well across art, design and technology, drama/theatre studies, film studies and music, plus a BTEC in digital media and four modern languages.

Wycliffe head Nick Gregory, who is departing from the school this month after nine years at the helm, said: "I am exceptionally proud of this outstanding group of pupils and this extremely pleasing set of results, both in A-level and BTEC.

"Our ambition is to instil in our pupils a 'pioneering spirit' and to encourage them to take their place in the world as 'global citizens'. 

"They all leave Wycliffe very well prepared indeed for the exciting futures that await them.”

Marling School 

Marling School said it was celebrating another great year of A-Level results, with more than 37 per cent of exam results at the very highest A* to A grades, 85 per cent of exam results at A* to C grades and an overall pass rate of 99 per cent. 

A large number of students exceeded their predicted grades, with eight students attaining all A*, 31 students achieving three or more A* or A grades, four students achieving four A* grades and over half of all students attaining at least one A* or A grade.

Most students have matched or exceeded their offers from universities, including many of the highly-selective universities requiring A* grades, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, King's and Edinburgh.

Twins Oliver Rolle and Alex Rolle are going to Bangor University to study business management and Newcastle University to study chemical engineering.

Other success stories were Chandra Andrews (A*A*A), Giovanni Di Stazio (A*A*AA) and Jasmine Moss (ABB).

Chandra said she was surprised but really happy with her results and she is going to study French and history at King's College London.

Gio will also be going to King's to study law and Jasmine is going to Exeter to study law.

Lea Hailey (A*A*A*A*) will be studying economics, psychology and philosophy at Warwick, Harry Davidson (A*A*A*A*) will be studying natural sciences at Cambridge, Hannah Pugh (A*A*A) is going to study at the London College of Fashion and Pierce Hamilton (AA*C) is going to be studying criminology at Manchester.

Courses which students are leaving to study cover a wide range, from midwifery, fashion, Arabic and film to physics, medicine and music.

Other students have secured higher apprenticeships in a variety of industries, including Rolls Royce, ICC Wales and Renishaw.

Jules Godfrey, Marling principal, said: “There has been a wonderful atmosphere this morning as the students have been able to see the results of their hard work.

"The majority have been accepted into their first-choice university.

"Marling staff wish them all the best as they take the next steps toward their future.”

Stroud High School 

Headteacher Mark McShane said: "We have had a fabulous morning here at Stroud High School.

"It is always a privilege watching the students arrive to receive their results, the nervous anticipation as they arrive more often than not replaced by the thrill and sense of excitement as they realise that all of their hard work has paid off.

"I am super proud of the students in our sixth form who along with all of the staff across the school create such a vibrant community here at Stroud High School.

"This year's A Level results, of which 41 per cent were graded A* to A and 74 per cent A* to B, are the final acknowledgement of all they have achieved together over the past two years, and I could not be more optimistic about what this brilliant year group will go on to achieve in the future."

Kostya achieved A*AA in politics, history and economics A-levels.

He joined the school after leaving Ukraine at the outbreak of war, completing a GCSE in English in Year 12, and has flourished in the sixth form, even becoming a Senior Student Leader.

Kostya has earned a place to study philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Oxford. 

Tess has been at Stroud High School since Year 7 and achieved a clean sweep of A* grades in politics, psychology and Spanish A Levels.

She is off to travel and volunteer in Sub-Saharan Africa as she decides on her next steps.