It was a nerve-wracking day for students across the county yesterday as sixth-formers received their A-level results. 

The bad weather could not dampen spirits as many secured places to universities and apprenticeships. 

Despite major changes to A-levels in England, with a move away from coursework and modular exams, pupils throughout Dorset performed well. 

At both the Thomas Hardye School and Budmouth College, 99 per cent of pupils passed their exams and 98 per cent at Weymouth College. 

The Purbeck School achieved an impressive set of results with 55 per cent of students being awarded at least one A*, A or B grade. 

Headteacher, Adam Darley said he was “extremely proud” and the results were “a real testament to the hard work and effort” of the pupils. 

The Blandford School was celebrating ‘exceptional’ results with 100 per cent passing their exams, smashing previous records at the school. 

Headteacher, Sally Wilson said: “Our results are just brilliant with so many students achieving their target grades and beyond, they should be very proud.”

The Gryphon School in Sherborne is also celebrating a record-breaking year with 32 per cent achieving A*s and As.

Nationally the pass rate fell to its lowest since 2010 (97.6 per cent), according to the Joint Council for Qualifications.

However, the Ofqual, the official regulator in England said results were stable and it was important not to “over-interpret relatively small changes in year-on-year results.”

Across the country boys have outperformed girls at the top A-level grade for the first time since it was introduced in Northern Ireland.

Read on below for how each school did and pupils' reactions to the big day. 

BUDMOUTH COLLEGE

There was cause for celebration at Budmouth College yesterday as students achieved ‘impressive’ results. 

Headteacher, Richard Jacob said the college was ‘thrilled’ with the results as 99 per cent of students passed their exams with a grade A* to E. 

65 per cent of the results fell within the A* to C bracket, 37 per cent were marked A* to B and ten per cent earned top grades of A* or A.

Mr Jacobs said: “At Budmouth College we strive to ensure that our students are happy and successful, today and tomorrow. Therefore, we are thrilled that so many of our students have secured the grades they need to go on to University, secure Apprenticeships or enter their chosen career. They have studied well and worked hard and thoroughly deserve their success.”

“We want to congratulate every student, not just at Budmouth, but throughout Weymouth and Portland, who have secured the next step in their education and training. They make us collectively proud and remind us of the huge potential that our town has. “

He added almost all students had secured a place at university but “particular praise was reserved for Brodie Asker for earning a place at Cambridge University to study computer science, Maddie Bell for her place at Bristol University to study veterinary science and Jack Brennan who has earned a place to Oxford to read biology.” 

Brodie Asker got outstanding results with three A*s and an A. He said: “I’m unbelievably pleased. It hasn’t quite hit me yet. I can’t wait to get started.” 

Jack Brennan said his acceptance to Oxford was a complete shock as he thought he had ‘messed up’ his maths exam but was pleased to be heading to Somerville College after receiving A*AB.

Jodie Howell will be following her dreams of becoming a primary school teacher after getting A, C, C. She will study primary school teaching with maths at Plymouth University.

"I wasn't expecting it at all. I still don't really believe it," she said.

Harry Alford is off to Cardiff University to study law after getting an A*, A and C. 

Mum Becky Alford said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. I couldn't be happier." 

She added she could finally get a good night's sleep.

THE THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL

Students celebrated some fantastic results.

Thomas Hardye School sixth form managed to raise the bar from last year with an overall pass rate of 99 per cent with one third of passes at grade A or A*.

The majority of students succeeded in getting their first choice of university, including 11 students who will be going to Oxford or Cambridge and six who have gained places to read Medicine.

Headteacher Mike Foley said: “These are exceptional results. To achieve one third of all grades at A or A* is remarkable and I am delighted that all the Oxbridge candidates and all the medical students met their offers.

"Congratulations are due to a wonderful set of students, supported by their parents. I want to pay tribute to the teaching staff who have navigated their way through a complex set of reforms and these results are a testament to their skills and abilities.

"Our Ofsted report commented on the inspirational teaching in the sixth form and this is the outcome.”

Matthew Holman, 18, from Tolpuddle, achieved A*s in both history and economics, and an A in maths.

He said: “I was not expecting to do that well, it hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m very pleased.”

He will study history at Oxford University.

Alice Furness, 18, from Cerne Abbas, achieved A*s in biology, maths and further maths, and an A in chemistry. 

She said: “I am going to University of Central London to study medicine. I can’t believe it, I’m in shock.”

Bea Forder, aged 18 from Dorchester, achieved A*s in biology, chemistry and maths.

She said: “I will be studying medicine at Oxford University. When I told my dad, he started crying on the phone.”

Sennen Barlow, aged 18 from Dorchester, achieved an A* in an extended project qualification, an A in psychology and Bs in both history and geography.

She said: “I got my first choice in Southampton, where I’ll be studying geography. I am really looking forward to it, especially with freshers coming up.”

Brittany Heckford, aged 18 from Crossways, achieved an A* in applied science and Cs in both law and health and safety. She hopes to become a nurse and has been offered an apprenticeship with Essential Nursing in Poundbury.

Eleanor Rule, aged 18 from Dorchester, achieved A*s in English Literature, history and French.

She said: “It’s what I needed for my first choice, but I didn’t expect it. I am going to Warwick University to study history. I really enjoyed my time here. I’ve been here since year 9 and couldn’t have imagined a better school experience.”

WEYMOUTH COLLEGE

Students and staff at Weymouth College are proudly celebrating yet another year of outstanding achievement in A Level courses.

Of this year’s A Level cohort, 100 per cent of students who applied were offered places at university, with 29 per cent of those students who applied to the elite Russell Group universities receiving offers.

Stephanie Bugler, 19 is off to Kings College London to study Psychology after achieving three As in Psychology, Biology and World Development.

She said: “I feel really happy, it is such a relief.”

Claudia Lawton, 20, achieved three A*s in geography, world development and government and politics and is off to the University of Exeter to study geography with European studies.

She said: “I am still processing it but I am really happy.”

Paul McArthur, head of sixth form at Weymouth College, said: “The A Level staff are extremely proud of all the hard work the students have put in during 2017/8.

“This transitional time for many A Level subjects has involved a lot of new course content.

“The staff and students have responded to this in a very positive way and this is reflected in our results with full A Level pass rate at 98 per cent.”

“We are very fortunate at Weymouth College to have a wide range of students from many local schools together with students from across Europe.”

“I feel our strengths lie in our expert staff (six staff members are examiners at A Level, with one chief examiner and one senior examiner amongst them), our class sizes and the level of individual support we can offer our students.”

The College’s A Level students were also joined in celebration by many of the students who completed vocational and technical courses.

The student results across the wide-range of vocational courses taken was nothing short of outstanding with 22 per cent of students achieving DDD – D*D*D* (equivalent to AAA – A*A*A* at A level) and students progressing on to employment, apprenticeships and higher education.  

Weymouth College Principal, Nigel Evans, added: “I am extremely proud of all our students and the very strong results they have achieved this year.   

“As always, this year’s A-level and vocational course outcomes are the result of committed and consistent hard work and I – together with every member of staff here at Weymouth College – couldn’t be more proud of what each of our students have achieved. 

"I wish them all the very best with their next career steps whether that be here at Weymouth College or elsewhere”.  

WEST DORSET 

Beaminster and Sir John Colfox joint sixth form students celebrated a terrific set of results.

Nearly half of the grades achieved were A*-A at A-level or Distinction*/Distinction in Level 3 applied courses. 

Keith Hales, headteacher at Beaminster School, said: “Once again our students have risen to the challenge of tougher new courses and come out very well indeed. The wide range of destinations they are heading on to all over the country is very impressive and we wish them all the best for their next adventures.”

David Herbert, headteacher at the Sir John Colfox Academy, added: “I am delighted that students have been rewarded for all of their hard work.”

“I am particularly pleased to see students going on to such a wide range of next steps, including some interesting apprenticeship opportunities and not just university courses.

At The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis, the overall pass rate was 99.6%, with 47% of entries graded at A*, A or B, and 21 per cent at A*/A.

Richard Steward, headteacher at Woodroffe said: “It is great to see so many individuals achieving A* and A grades and pleasing to note the consistency in results across all subject areas.”

THE PURBECK SCHOOL

The Purbeck School achieved an impressive set of results with 55 per cent of students being awarded at least one A*, A or B grade.

Some subject areas at the school were celebrating exceptional success with sport double award leading the way with more than 80 per cent of students being awarded A* or A grades – a phenomenal achievement.

A significant number of other subjects achieved more than 60 per cent of pupils being awarded an A*, A or B including maths, history, geography, geology, philosophy and ethics, sociology and computing.

Nearly all of the students secured the grades they need to progress to their first choice of University or to take up their apprenticeship placements. 

The school also commended superb individual results with a number of students achieving A* and A grades across the board.

An exceptional 3A*s will enable Joe Denny to read engineering at Bristol University.

With an A* and two As, Olivia Ashworth will be reading bio-medicine at Cardiff University and Kirsty Patterson will be reading industrial design at Brunel University and.

Katherine Stillman will be reading biochemistry at Bath University and Max Afful will be reading Physics at Bath University after both earning three A grades.

Adam Darley, Headteacher, said: "I am extremely proud of the achievements of all our students and these results are a real testament to the hard work and effort they have consistently shown over the past two years.

"Being in the sixth form here is about teamwork, and these results could not have been achieved without the exceptional quality of teaching and the dedicated 6th form support network that we have here at the school. We wish our students all the very best for the future."

THE BLANDFORD SCHOOL 

The Blandford School is celebrating exceptional A Level and Vocational results today with students in the year group smashing all previous records.

The overall pass rate this year was 100 per cent, with 32 per cent achieving A* and A grades and 60 per cent achieving A* to B. 

Headteacher, Sally Wilson said: "Our results this year are just brilliant with so many students achieving their target grades and beyond, they should be very proud of themselves.

"On behalf of my staff and our governing board, I would like to congratulate all of them. Many have secured places at top universities, whilst others will be starting apprenticeships or entering employment.

"I would like to thank all staff and these results prove the quality of teaching and learning is very good."

She commended students who had done particularly well. 

Ruby Opalka achieved two A*s and an A.

Ruby will now be heading to Manchester to study English with creative writing.

Lauren Barton's two A*s and B mean she has achieved her dream of studying medicine at Southampton in September. 

Emma de Sarum achieved one A* and two As and will be relocating to Exeter where she will read Law.

Mrs Wilson said Emma is an example of a student who has taken every opportunity whilst at TBS to be involved in numerous additional activities. 

Hector Solway achieved three A's and an A* which secures him a place at Bath to study Physics.

Mrs Wilson added: "Andrew Madders, Hari Teversham and Katie Willis-Fisher should be very proud of their one A*, one A and one B.

THE GRYPHON SCHOOL 

Gryphon students are celebrating a record year of A level results with 32 per cent getting A* and A grades - topping the national average of 26.4. 

53 students received at least one A* or A, with four students receiving four A*, six receiving all A’s, six achieving at least 2 A*, and another seven receiving all A* or A’s.

Three students have places at the University of Cambridge, one at Oxford University, with another going on to study medicine at the University of Birmingham.

Headteacher Nicki Edwards said: “This is a record-breaking year for us in terms of top grades and I am absolutely thrilled at the results our students have achieved.

"This is a testament to the hard work of both students and staff, and is even more impressive considering we have now moved to linear courses. We are incredibly excited about seeing the next steps our students will be taking in their lives and we are proud of all their individual achievements.

Emma Dawson received A* in Biology and Maths and an A in Physics, and will be going to Oxford University to study Biology.

Emma said “I am really, really happy. I didn’t know what to expect and had a sleepless night but I’m incredibly excited to be going to Oxford”.

Callum Henry received A* grades in Maths, Chemistry and Biology and achieved an amazing 100 per cent in his additional Extended Project Qualification (EOQ). He will now go on to the University of Birmingham to study medicine.

He said “I’m happy and relieved, it’s been good fun over the last couple of years but also a lot of hard work”.

Leoni Fretwell was also delighted with her A* grades in Drama, History and English.

“I’m incredibly surprised, I didn’t think it would happen! I’m really excited to be going to Exeter University in October to study English," she said.

Sixth Form Lead Philippa Huggins said “I am so proud of all our students today, they have worked so hard and deserve these brilliant results."

See tomorrow's Echo for all the pictures from A-level results day