THERE were lots of smiles for A-level students receiving their results at St Christopher's CE High School in Accrington.

Head teacher Richard Jones said: "With a 100 per cent pass rate, top grades (A*-C) at above 80% and a record number of students securing a clean sweep of A* and A grades, we have surpassed even our high expectations.

"From students who have exceeded their target grades, to those securing places on highly competitive university courses, we pass on our congratulations and best wishes.

"Our students deserve all the praise and acclaim that they will receive and I wish them well – they are a wonderful group of young people, cheated out of their examinations but now able to celebrate."

Olivia O’Neill gained the grades she needed to study at Oxford University.

She said: “This past few months have been very challenging and I can’t believe I got what I needed for Oxford University. Its fantastic!”

Her parents said: “After a stressful week this has been brilliant. The unknown due to there being no exams has been crazy. We just didn’t have a clue what to expect but for Olivia to get the grades she needed for Oxford is just amazing and proves all the hard work she has put in over the last year.”

Joseph Philbrook also got the grades he needed to study Archaeology at Cambridge University,

He said:”I’m over the moon to get into Cambridge. Thank you to all the staff for their support.”