THE hard work put in by thousands of Huddersfield students was praised today.
Clr John Smithson, the deputy leader of Kirklees Council, congratulated students and teachers on their results in this year's AS and A-level exams.
He said: "Today is a day of celebration. Everyone who receives their results should feel a real achievement.
"AS and A-level courses are not easy. The results have only been achieved as a result of the students' hard work.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank teachers for all their efforts. Without their hard work and dedication, these results would not have been achieved," he added.
"I also wish to recognise the role the students' parents or carers have played.
"Supporting students successfully through further education can be challenging and stressful and often requires personal and financial sacrifice.
Greenhead College principal Martin Rostron echoed Clr Smithson's sentiments.
He said he was overjoyed with another outstanding year group's performances.
"Grades in every subject were excellent," he added.
The college is rated top in numerous national league tables. Yesterday, 23 Greenhead students gained five grade As, as against 19 in 2003.
After two years of hard work there were many relieved smiles and even a few tears of joy.
Harsimranjit Singh Kooner, from Dalton, attained his dream of studying law at Cambridge with a clutch of A grades.
The 17-year-old will be going to Queens' College in the autumn. "I was kind of confident, because I'm a religious guy!" he said.
Emily Martin, 18, of Birkby, got five A grades and will also be studying law at Cambridge.
She said: "It's been brilliant. I worked harder last year than this. I do work hard, but don't spend all my life working."
Philip Ladd, of Leeds, got five As at Huddersfield New College and was "very pleased". He plans to study engineering at Durham University next year.
Robert Bettson, of Brighouse, got four As - general studies, computer science, physics and maths - and an AS-level further maths. He also got a B in computing.
He said: "It's not quite enough for my first choice, but it's easily enough for my second, physics at Manchester University."
