STUDENTS from across Medway celebrated record A-level results with many securing themselves university places.

A number of schools' pupils achieved their best ever results and high numbers of the new A* grade.

Students at Thomas Aveling School, Rochester, performed particularly well and director of sixth form, Sally Whelan, said: "It is fantastic to see such happy faces today after all the hard work over the last two years.

"We believe all students have got the required grades to go to their university of choice."

At MidKent College 93 per cent of students achieved between A* and E grades, an increase of five per cent since last year.

High achievers, who bagged A*to B grades nearly doubled from 18 to 31 per cent.

At Rainham Mark Grammar School, 61 per cent of pupils were awarded A or B grades. Head teacher, Simon Decker, said: "This is an outstanding set of results from a very talented year group.

"Rainham Mark students have achieved a record number of top grades and the performance of our girls in particular far exceeded expectations."

The jewel in Rainham Mark's crown was Lauren Matthews who scored straight A* grades in biology, chemistry, maths and psychology.

Lauren, 18, of Lovelace Close, Parkwood will now go to Cambridge University. She said: "I am really elated. I can't believe it really. It is the best feeling ever.

"I was predicted four A*s but you never know until you get them."

Seventeen-year-old sixth-former at Rainham Mark Grammar School, Coral Brown, of Wigmore Road, Wigmore aced her exams a year early.

She achieved A* grades in English literature and religious studies and an A in classical civilisations. She said: "I can't believe it. I'm still in shock."

Coral will now go to Kings College, London to read theology and religion, and hopes to work in journalism in the future.

With competition for places at university high, some students did miss out. Despite outperforming his predictions and achieving A* grades in geography, English and business, Rainham Mark Grammar School student Robert Richardson didn't get in to Oxford or UCL. Robert, 18, of The Croft, Rainham, said: "I think I may have fluked it a little bit."

Although he was offered places at other universities, Robert plans to take a gap year and reapply for his top choices next year. "These grades should help," he said.

Chatham Grammar School for Girls also had a bumper year. Head teacher Christine Probin said: "We are delighted with the success of our students. The majority have got in to the university of their choice."

Sarah Orsbourn, 18, of South Bush Lane, Rainham was one of the school's high achievers, clocking up three As and a B. She's heading to Nottingham University to study philosophy and German.

Laura Evergreen, 18, of Palmerston Road, Chatham, was awarded A* in health and social care and A grades in maths, biology and psychology and will now study occupational health at Canterbury Christ Church University.

"I'm shocked to be honest," she said. "I thought the exams went really badly."

In their last year of studying the A-level qualification, students at Cobham Hall also celebrated their highest ever scores.

Next year, the students will be entered for the International Baccalaureate. Headmaster Paul Mitchell said: "Our last A-level results confirm Cobham Hall's consistent ability to enable students of a wide range of abilities to gain the highest grades and for many to access the very best universities."

Students from Cobham will now go on to study at universities such as Cambridge, UCL and Westminster.

Medway Council's portfolio holder for Children's Services, Les Wicks said: "Our students have worked incredibly hard this year and I am sure their dedication will have paid off.

"I congratulate them for all their achievements. I'd also like to congratulate our teachers for their hard work, which has helped so many students achieve the results they deserve."