CRIES of joy filled the air as sixth formers at Holmes Chapel Sixth Form College celebrated outstanding A Level results.

A quarter of students achieved A* and A grades and more than half of all grades were A* and B.

The top 10 per cent highest achieving pupils gained the best grades of A* and A in at least three subjects.

Executive head teacher Denis Oliver said: "I'm absolutely delighted and very very proud. It is wonderful to see the looks on students' faces and the whoops of joy.

“Today is one of the most pivotal days in the education calendar- marking one of the key transition points, not only in students’ educational careers but also, for some, the start of a new career pathway. "Results days should be a celebration of what individual students have achieved, and what they have been able to show that they have learnt and mastered.

"Our students have once again turned in some superb performances and I would like to praise them for how hard everyone has worked, over the past two years in particular, but also in the preceding five years.

"I would also like to place on record my personal thank you to the teachers and other staff who have worked together with our students to make this an outstanding environment for learning.

"What wonderful opportunities and possible pathways all the hard work have made available to our students and I urge them to seize each and every one and use our six attitudes to effective learning and progress to get the maximum benefit from them."

In maths 60 per cent of students achieved A*/A and 73 per cent gained A*/B

In fine art 83 per cent of students achieved A* and B.

Humanities subjects also excelled with 70 per cent achieving A* and B in both geography and history. In six subjects, including drama, English language, fine art, German, further maths and music, 100% of students achieved grades A* to C.

Jo Camm, director of sixth form said: “Everyone should be very proud of our students and the outstanding results that they have achieved.

"We set the bar very high but every year our students and staff seem to push it higher again. Well done to each and every one of you.”

Three students are off to Cambridge.

Tarun Pass, 18, from Goostrey gained A* in maths, further maths and physics and is studying maths.

He said: "I am very relieved and surprised. I am looking forward to exploring the intellectual ethos at university and taking up all the opportunities."

Sarah Miller, 18, from Holmes Chapel, gained A* English literature and As in history and maths.

"I am really happy and will be studying English at Cambridge. My dad Anthony studied English there and my uncle Philip studied physics. They are proud of me."

Tom Hibbs, 18, from Holmes Chapel who gained A* in English literature, chemistry and maths will be reading law.

He said: "Law is something that really interests me as a subject. I am looking forward to the teaching and the atmosphere."

Charlotte Stephens, 18, from Holmes Chapel gained As in maths and further maths and B in phsyics.

She said: "I will be studying civil engineering at Newcastle and hope to become a chartered engineer."

Poppy Godding, 18, from Congleton gained A in chemistry, A* in biology and B in physics and is studying medicine in Nottingham.

She said: "My degree is five years. I'm looking forward to doing hands on work in hospital."

Declan Manock, 18, from Holmes Chapel gained a B in history, C in physics and B in drama and theatre and is off to Manchester Metropolitan to study history.

He said: "It's quite exciting to think of all the new stuff I will be doing, a chance to express myself in a new place."

Matthew Speers, 18, from Holmes Chapel, gained A* in maths and physics and A in further maths and is studying maths in Lancaster.

Alice Page gained As in biology, chemistry and maths and is studying chemistry, biological and medicinal chemistry with a year abroad at York.

Head of school Jeff Sharp said: “The level of achievement across a wide range of subjects is excellent.

"Individual success is not always measured in A*to A grades. For some of our students, more modest grades represent a remarkable achievement.

"There is no doubt that our college has opened doors and prepared our learners for a changing world."

However as students celebrate their results the school paid tribute to student Gregory Priestnall who sadly died as he prepared for his final exams.

Mr Oliver said: "Gregory was a wonderful and gifted young man whose loss was felt throughout the sixth form indeed the whole school community.

"His friends are here today, collecting their results.

"I can’t begin to comprehend how hard it has been for them and for Greg’s family.

"In the new school year we will be launching the Greg Priestnall Award for outstanding achievement in science and a start has been made on improving the facilities at the South African AIDS crèche which Greg visited and which are named in his honour.

"We will never forget Greg, he was a much loved member of the class of 2018 who today would be celebrating his own outstanding achievements."