COTSWOLD students achieved top grades in this year's A Level results - with many exceeding the national average.

The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water revealed an excellent 100 percent pass rate this year and on average each student gained 355 UCAS points making it the highest achieving year group the school has seen.

Cirencester College continued to lead the way with in excess of a 99 percent pass rate for the fifth year in a row.

Out of 1214 A-level examinations taken at the college, only eight single failures were recorded.

Nearly one in three papers by Rendcomb College students were graded A and overall 60 percent of students achieved grades A or B.

Malmesbury School is celebrating a 96 percent pass rate with 75 percent of students achieving grades A to C.

Fifty percent of passes at Farmor's School in Fairford earned grades A to B and 71.7 percent were A to C.

Nationally the pass rate rose for the 27th year in a row to 97.5 per cent - up 0.3 per cent on last year.

And more than one in four exam entries, 26.7 per cent, was awarded an A grade - up from 25.9 per cent last year.

The average point score per pupil in Gloucestershire is above the national average of 740 at 778.5.

There were many exceptional students in this year's results including Alyssia Booth from Cirencester College.

The 18-year-old from Cricklade scored six As in maths, fine art, design technology and graffic design, environmental science, physics and general studies and will be going to Bath University to study architecture.

She told the Standard: "I wasn't expecting all As. I found it difficult to fit everything in and I did work really hard."

Deputy principal Desna McCall said the college was delighted with the huge pass mark.

"We have some great staff who are specialists in their subject and are passionate about them and that comes across in the high marks," she said.

At Rendcomb, Iva Carvalhosa secured five A levels, including chemistry, maths and further maths and intends to read mathematics at Bristol University.

Mr Chris Wood, who retires as Director of Studies at the end of this month after a forty-year association with the college as a pupil and teacher, said: “The class of 2009 not only excelled in the exam hall, they also contributed extensively on the sports field and on the stage. I am pleased to be associated with such a talented group.

The highest achievers at Farmor's School were Joseph Pitt and Joseph Woodward who both achieved four grade As. Joseph Pitt has been offered a place at Hertford College, Oxford, to read Physics and Joseph Woodward is going to study Physics at Warwick University.

Whether exam results are better or worse than expected, Connexions, Gloucestershire’s personal advisers can help. Experienced advisers are in place in the Cotswolds to support young people at what can be a stressful time and help them make the best possible choices for the future.

For more information call the Cotswolds Connexions centre on 01285 647300.