FOR hundreds of Bromsgrove teenagers the anxious wait is finally over.

The A-level results are now out and students across the district have been celebrating some of the best results on record.

There were smiles all round at Waseley Hills High School, where the pass rate was more than 90 per cent.

High-flier Catherine Gurney was over the moon when she picked up her results. Catherine sealed her place to study law at the London School of Economics with five grade As in geography, religious education, biology, English and general studies.

However, the 18-year-old is putting her plans for university on hold for a year to pursue a record deal with her all-girl band - Chica.

Birmingham University awaits Laura Bird, who is also celebrating after picking up her results from the School Road site. She achieved four grade As and one B and will study medicine.

"I am very happy, all the hard work has paid off," she said.

Waseley headteacher, David Thurbon, said: "These results exceed our previous best by some distance. Congratulations to all the students who worked so hard and their talented teachers. Also thank you to all the parents for their support over the last year."

Over at South Bromsgrove High School, headteacher, Phil McTague, was "thrilled to bits" with the 95 per cent pass rate, an increase of five per cent on previous years.

A staggering 61 per cent of students at the Charford Road school achieved grades A to C and top of the class was Michael Hayden, who collected four grade As.

Mr McTague said: "I am absolutely delighted with the results and felt they were a rich reward for the huge effort put in by both staff and students.

"These good results are just one dimension of an expanding and very successful school," he added.

Bromsgrove School headteacher, Tim Taylor, was overjoyed with the 100 per cent pass rate achieved by pupils at the Worcester Road school. More than 72 per cent of the pupils achieved grades A and B.

A bright future lies ahead for Bromsgrove teenager Caroline Shaw, who plans to study medicine at Cambridge after achieving a whopping six grade As - two of the exams were taken a year early. Two other Bromsgrove School pupils, Clare Peters and Christopher Pile, read out their results live on BBC Hereford and Worcester radio. They both collected four grade As.

North Bromsgrove's outgoing headteacher, Kevin Peck, was delighted with the final A-level grades to be achieved under his leadership.

Nicholas Phillips came up trumps at the School Drive school obtaining four passes, including two grades As.

Bromsgrove students at NEW College are also celebrating after a record year for results with a 94 per cent pass rate.

Sara Nugent, the vice-principal at the Blackwood Road campus, said: "The 94 per cent pass rate for general and vocational A-levels is a significant improvement on last year and we are delighted with the results."

Worcestershire County Council, which is the local education authority, has added its praise for all the students' hard work and dedication.

County councillor and cabinet member for education, June Longmuir (Con-Bromsgrove South) said: "Today we should be congratulating all these students who are enjoying the success of hard work and long hours of study."

Making the grade: Jon Whitehead, from Lickey, celebrating his A-level results. Pictures by Julian Reynolds. Ref:D00758