TEENAGERS across Colchester are celebrating after picking up their A-level results.

Nervous students returned to their schools and colleges last week to receive those all important grades, which will be the key to university courses, apprenticeships and jobs.

Every pupil at Colchester County High School for Girls passed every exam, and 40 per cent achieved at least three As.

An impressive 60 per cent of all grades were A* or As.

Headteacher Gillian Marshall said: “We are extremely proud of the students. These are outstanding results.”

Thursday's A-level results day was Colchester Royal Grammar School headteacher Ken Jenkinson’s last, as he is retiring after 15 years.

Four of his students achieved five A*s and 16 got four A*s.

Of all the results opened yesterday, 27 per cent were A* and 99.9 per cent were A* to E.

Mr Jenkinson said: “I’ve just regarded it like every other year.

“I haven’t even thought about retirement and I won’t do until the end of this month.

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                           Ken Jenkinson with Anna Skaria and Haowen Kwan

“I know how hard the students and their teachers work, and they fully deserve their success.

“This year group has also made a particularly strong contribution to the wider life of the school, and I thank them for their goodwill and positive influence in the school.”

At Colchester Sixth Form College, 90 per cent of students achieved three or more A-level qualifications or equivalent.

Art, French, further mathematics, German, and statistics were among the 26 subjects which had a 100 per cent pass rate.

Almost 50 per cent of all grades were A* to B.

Principal Ian MacNaughton said: “The results are really fantastic. The students’ achievements are quite outstanding and they must be very warmly congratulated.”

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                        Students celebrating at Colchester County High School for Girls

Philip Morant School is celebrating 99 per cent A* to E grades, which is a slight increase on last year’s figures.

Principal Catherine Hutley said: “We work very closely with our students and build excellent relationships over the two years they spend in the college, but results day iswhat it’s all about.”

Colne Community College can also boast a 99 per cent A* to E pass rate in A-levels and other vocational subjects.

Principal Nardeep Sharma said: “The Sixth Form College is growing and the results reflect its vibrant nature.”

The hard work of students at Thurstable Sixth Form Centre also paid off, with 84 per cent of grades A* to C.

The pass rate was 99 per cent.

Headteacher Miles Bacon said: “It’s great to see all of our students gaining the qualifications they need to take the next steps in their lives.”