STRATFORD sixth formers were celebrating last week after receiving a bumper crop of top A-level results.

Stratford Grammar School for Girls, King Edward VI School, Stratford High School and Stratford College students were top across the board, leaving some sixth forms with record results.

Unlike the rest of the country, there were few problems with late results with only the high school affected.

Sociology results did not arrive until Friday and some students awaiting resit results did not know their fate until this week.

Among the high-fliers was Stratford Grammar School student Philippa Williams who is off to Cambridge next term after achieving four A grades. The 18-year-old former deputy head girl, who lives near Evesham, was awarded a place at Emmanuel College to study geography. Her remarkable result was just one of many at the grammar school which enjoyed a record breaking year.

The school had a 100% pass rate, with 68.5% of those at A or B grades and nine girls have been able to take up places at Oxbridge.

The figures leave the Shottery school in the list of the best schools in Britain, which elated headmaster Roger Stanbridge.

"I am delighted that the year 13 of 2000 has once again achieved academic excellence," he said.

Stratford High School enjoyed spectacular success with 100% pass rates in art, design & technology, drama, history and information technology and many pupils achieving top A to C grades.

"Our students have worked extremely hard," said deputy head Mike Chambers. "Our staff will be delighted with what they have achieved and they have set a real example to the rest of the school."

Stratford College principal Nigel Briggs was delighted with the college's overall pass rate of 80%, which he said "reflected the hard work and commitment of the students who, with the support of the staff, have produced very creditable outcomes".

Star pupil Jessica West was treading the boards at the Edinburgh Festival when she discovered she was among the top five students in the country for A-level theatre studies. "This is the perfect end of a perfect year," she said.

KES once again had an excellent year. Headmaster Tim Moore-Bridger paid tribute to the sixth form who managed a 96.1% pass rate from grade A to E, with 80% of those at grades A to C - well above the national average for boys of 56.3%. "We all worked very hard," he said. "We set the students very high standards and we encourage the boys to set high standards for themselves and by working together, they achieved them."