SCENES of smiling students and proud parents graced the hall of reenhead College on A-level results day.

With 30 pupils achieving their Oxbridge offers and a 99% pass rate, the college had even more success than last year.

Over two-thirds of the results were at A*, A or B and 86% were at grades A* to C.

And out of 885 A-level candidates, all but 28 achieved three passes or more and 230 achieved an A grade or better in three or more subjects.

Principal Martin Rostron praised the success of Greenhead students.

“This is the second year of A*, and it was achieved in 13% of exams compared to last years 11% and 8% nationally which is fantastic.

“I can’t single out one department as they have all done extremely well.

“It has been a very tough year for students to get into university and they have worked very hard., we cannot praise the achievement of all of them adequately.”

William Triner, of Lindley, achieved three A*s and is one of the elite group that is headed to Oxford.

He said: “I am going to study politics, philosophy and economics.

“I am nervous but also really excited”.

Claire Johnson, of Almondbury, said: “I looked online on the university system this morning after I saw everybody’s status’ on Facebook.

“I was nervous looking but I think that my mum was even more nervous than me.

“I am so relieved and looking forward to starting.”

Having achieved three As, Claire scored higher than her two As one B offer and is headed to Manchester to study Philosophy.

Friends Sarah Longstaff and Sophie Shields had a dual celebration last night as it was Sarah’s birthday and they both achieved the results needed to study medicine at Birmingham.

The careers service was on hand from 6am for any student that didn’t get the expected results.

Head of careers Gillian Peers said: “There were issues with the Track system run by UCAS but once the students get through to the telephone numbers university staff have been really helpful.

“We have managed to have alot of success through clearing.

“We have been here since 6am and our first student came in at 6.50am.”

Lauren Whiteley, of Beaumont Park, was due to go to Newcastle but marginally missed her place and is headed to John Moore’s University in Liverpool instead.

She said: “It took me three hours to make sure I had a place through clearing and there has been a lot of holding and waiting for the system to work.

“The staff at Greenhead though have been amazing and so helpful in trying to help us.

“I am excited to go to Liverpool though, if there is somewhere else to go other than Newcastle, it would have been Liverpool.”