Joy was abundant this morning as Debden Park High School students scored a record number of A and A* grades.

In art, computer science, drama, geography, maths, music and physics at least a C was scored in all exam entries, with a formidable 60 per cent of students achieving an A* in art.

Students are now off to study at top universities including Bath, Exeter, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield, Loughborough, University of East Anglia and Sussex.

Helen Gascoyne, head of school, said: "We are incredibly proud of our Year 13 students and their A-Level results. As a school we continue to be academically ambitious for all our students and these A-Level results are even better than our impressive first set of results in 2017.

"Again these results are testament to our outstanding teaching throughout the school and to our commitment to building upon our sustained exemplary GCSE results.

"We have proved that our new Sixth Form challenges all students to achieve their potential and beyond, and to make their dreams for their futures a reality."

Joe Merison, a student at the school since Year 7, bagged three As in Economics, history and media and is now going to study History at Exeter.

He said: "I am thrilled with my grades and am very grateful to Debden for their consistent support and challenge from Year 7 to Year 13."

Rebecca Busby, who joined in Year 12, achieved an A* in Art and two Bs in philosophy and ethics, and sociology.

She said: "I always hoped I would succeed at A-Level but I am overwhelmed with just how well I have done here at Debden.

"I have loved my time here and from day one I felt part of the school.

"I would encourage any student to join Debden Park High School Sixth form to achieve great things here as well."