THOUSANDS of students across Dorset received their A-level and BTEC results on Thursday.

Some students were star pupils at their school for the dedication to their studies.

Erin Rolfe from Ferndown Upper School, who will be going to the University of Durham to study mathematics after achieving an A* and two As in mathematics, further maths and physics.

Liam Belbin from the Bishop of Winchester Academy in Bournemouth is off to Manchester University to study computer science after achieving four A*s.

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Liam also got 100 per cent on two of his exam papers.

Mr McKeown, principal of The Bishop of Winchester Academy, said he was delighted again with the results of the sixth form students.

He said: “They have worked incredibly hard to achieve success and have delivered a strong set of results.

“These achievements are the result of the hard work put in by students, but also by our teaching staff.

“Students leave us having benefitted from our programme of support and career guidance, designed to ensure students will be able to ‘Live life to the full’.

“We wish all our year 13 students well as they head off to university, apprenticeships or employment.”

Harry Knightbridge from Lytchett Minster School achieved A*A*AA in maths, product design, physics and further maths, and will now also be heading to the University of Southampton to study aeronautics and astronautical engineering.

Chakhin Wong is heading to Imperial College London to study chemistry after achieving an A* in maths, and an A in both physics and chemistry.

Morgan from The Bourne Academy will be the first student to go the University of Bath with his results.

Ilaria Coavarella got three distinction stars and is off to Bournemouth University to study midwifery. Ilaria moved to the UK when she was 8 and has had to learn the language.

Ariella Gerson achieved an A*, an A and a C in her results and is off to study law at Nottingham University.

Miss Saunders, Ariella’s history teacher, said: “I am really pleased with her A* result. She has an aptitude for the subject, perseverance and a sharp intellect.”

Jake is going international and heading to Victoria University in Canada to study mechanical engineering after achieving three As at Arnewood Academy.

Ferndown Upper School also celebrated its students on the eventful day.

Philip Jones, Headteacher, congratulated all students, saying: “We are all incredibly proud of our students, as they celebrate today, and they reflect upon the hard work and determination that has led them to this point.

“It is particularly gratifying to see so many of them achieving the grades they need to secure places at their universities and apprenticeships of choice – including a number of the UK’s top Russell Group institutions.

“I also want to offer my thanks to our staff team, whose support and encouragement has been invaluable.

“I know they will want to join me in congratulating students and wishing them well as they take their next steps as young adults. We look forward to hearing about all their future successes.”

Arnewood School students were also celebrating after receiving their A Level results – the second consecutive year in which they have improved.

Jamie Anderson, headteacher of the New Milton school, said: “We could not be prouder of the Arnewood School class of 2024, who have seen their hard work, dedication and resilience rewarded with an excellent set of A Level results.

“With 25 per cent of grades at A*/A and 45 per cent at B or higher we are extremely proud of our students’ achievements.

“We are particularly pleased that 85 per cent of the cohort secured places at their first choice of university.

“The new Arnewood alumni will embark on courses far and wide, in this country and abroad, including medicine, natural sciences, physics, computing, acting, special effects, and law.”

Headteacher Tracy Harris at Talbot Heath said: "This cohort faced significant challenges in their formative years with Covid and we are delighted that so many have excelled.

"Nearly 40 per cent of all grades were at A* with all students passing all their A Levels and 90 per cent of all grades at A*-C. There were some amazing individual success stories - 4 girls achieved 4 A Levels at A* and A grade."

She added; "We start the new year with a new curriculum embracing the opportunities of Artificial Intelligence and sustainability, as well as our new school values. The future is very exciting."

Brian Boyes, interim headteacher of Queen Elizabeth’s School, said: “Today we celebrate the truly fantastic achievements of our students after a huge amount of hard work.

“Their commitment to academic excellence and a determination to achieve has resulted in some wonderful results.

“I have complete faith that these young people will go on to impress whether they move into higher education, take up an apprenticeship or enter the world of work.”

At St Edward’s RC VA School in Poole, 21.2 per cent of all passes were at the highest grades of A and A*, 48.3 per cent of passes were graded A* to B, and 70.6 per cent were at A* to C.

These results are significantly improved on grades in 2019, the last year of results before the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Michael Antram, executive headteacher at St Edward’s School, said: “It has been a great privilege and pleasure to know this cohort. We have seen them develop both academically and personally, growing into the well-rounded, capable and community minded individuals they are.”