EMOTIONS were running high last week as nervous sixth formers rolled into school to pick up their A-level results.

But schools were happy to report that there were more tears of joy than tears of sorrow, as once again pass rates were up.

The Leys High School saw 84 per cent of entries passing with A to E grades, a figure that was up on last year.

Acting headteacher David Mayes was more than happy with the results achieved.

He said: "With any year's results you have to compare how pupils did at GCSE with how they've done now and our results certainly show considerable progress, which is great.

"We've had no-one being disappointed."

He added: "Sara Bellisio gained two As, a B and a D, which she's very pleased with."

St Augustine's High School once again had a bumper crop of star pupils and reported a 95 per cent pass rate.

Headteacher Carol Buchanan said: "We've done very well again, not quite as well as last year but that really was an exceptional year.

"We've got some real stars but this year, for the first time, girls have out-performed the boys, which is in line with the national trend."

Pupil at the Stonepits Lane school, Selina Rodrigues, gained four A grades in science subjects and the school reported that overall, 40 per cent of its entries had resulted in A or B grades.

Arrow Vale High School saw its pass rate increase three per cent to an impressive 91 percent, which was above the national average of 89 per cent.

Assistant headteacher Roger Satterthwaite said his pupils had done very well and there was a real "buzz" in school.

Pupil Stephen Butler gained three A grades in science and is now off to Warwick University.

Headteacher of Woodrush High School, Sue Kirkham, reported that her school had also increased its pass rate to 82 per cent.

She said: "We're all very pleased with the pupils' achievements.

"Most of them have got the grades they want. Everyone's very happy."

Pupil Andrew Brendon-Penn gained four As, as well as an AS-level.

Abbey High School acting headteacher Bryan Allbut was pleased to report that pupil Umar Isa was off to Cambridge University following a year out, after gaining an impressive four As and a B in science subjects.

He added: "All students who entered gained A-level grades and achieved or exceeded their expected grades."

NEW college also celebrated some resounding successes with its best ever results.

Head of the Sixth Form Centre, Mike McCarthy, said: "Our results are the best ever and have steadily increased over the past three years.

"Staff are very proud of the hard work and commitment students have given in their studies."