A-LEVEL RESULTS: 'Many smiling faces' at The Cotswold School as students receive 'fantastic' results

90 per cent of grades were A* to C, and 20 per cent were A*s. 

Phil White, head of sixth form, said students had done "really really well, as you can see by the many smiling faces". 

He continued: "They have done so well and they are building on the great results over the few years. 

"I am pleased for the students, parents and staff."

Referring to the A-level reforms that came into effect this year, he said: "Last year, we got fantastic results and we thought, 'Can we match that this year?'

"The vast majority of students got into their preferred university."

The Standard spoke to a few of the students at The Cotswold School about their results. 

Alex Barter is one of the outstanding who will be going on to study Maths at Warwick University with three A*s (the offer being three A*s).

Alex said: "I am incredibly happy, slightly relieved on the Further Maths. I am really really ecstatic."

He explained that to do well, he did as many past papers as he could and even did some twice. 

Theo Godfrey will be going to Oxford University to study Engineering with four A*s, exceeding his conditioner offer of three A8s and an A. 

He said: "It is weird. I do not know how to feel. I obviously feel great. 

"I always though I would try Oxford. it has been a really rocky journey. 

"At some stage, I probably was not as confident in myself as I had to do the aptitude test."

Below: Alex Barter and Theo Godfrey

Sophie Taylor, another outstanding student, will be studying Geography at Oxford University with an A* and two As.

She said: "I got into my first choice university. I did not think I would to be honest."

She revealed that her secret to her exam success was being organised and starting revision early: "I started my revision timetable in February and I stuck to that and had early nights. 

"All you've got to do is work hard."

She explained that she would not have applied for Oxford if her mother had not encouraged her to do so.

She said being accepted into the university was a "surprise", especially as she was from a state school. 

Speaking of university life, she said: "I am excited. It is about meeting new people."

Below: Sophie Taylor

Another group of friends were celebrating their results.

Megan Webster, with two Bs and an A, will be starting an apprenticeship at St James' Place alongside other university graduates in September.

Poppy Clarke, who achieved an A*, A and a B, better than her predicted grades, will be taking a year off before looking to study nursing at university.

And Jade Sheasby will be going on to study Psychology at the University of Gloucestershire.

Below: Jade Sheasby, Poppy Clarke, and Megan Webster

Megan said: "I am quite happy with my results. I am surprised about the A. It is in history, which was the hardest subject.

"A-Levels was quite difficult, but I prefer exams over coursework so I thought the changes this year was okay."

Poppy, who will be taking a year off, said: "I am very happy. I am having a year off and I want to go into nursing. 

"I will be getting work experience for nursing and getting some money. I am applying to do work experience at a hospital."

Jade said she did not do as good as she had hoped but will nevertheless be going to the University of Gloucestershire with an unconditional offer.