CELEBRATIONS were in full swing at Alcester Grammar School on Thursday as students collected long-awaited A-level results.

The Birmingham Road school achieved a 99.9 per cent pass rate, with 60 per cent of students gaining grades A or B.

Many pupils achieved a clean sweep of top grades, including Matt Powell and Rachel Drake, who each gained five As and distinctions in the even higher level Advanced Extension Awards.

Headteacher Iain Blaikie said: "These students deserve their successes. Along with their devoted staff, they have worked so hard.

"Of course, I am delighted for the top students but many of our mixed-ability students have performed way beyond expectations and secured the university places they deserve."

Mr Blaikie said he was not disappointed they did not achieve the 100 per cent pass rate they did last year, as it was down to one pupils' sickness out of 703 entries.

"It's a really outstanding result and it's as good a year as we could expect," he added.

GCSE students at the school, along with those at Alcester High and St Benedicts High schools, will receive their results tomorrow.