CELEBRATIONS are under way across Dorset following the publication of A-level results.

Nationally the proportion of A-levels awarded an A grade or higher has fallen to the lowest for more than a decade.

Girls narrowly clawed back the lead from boys in terms of A* and A grades, although boys still outperformed their female classmates in the highest result.

For the first time, there were more entries for A-level science subjects from girls than from boys.

Thousands of teenagers are now preparing to pack their bags to head off to university.

At Bournemouth School for Girls students recorded the school’s best ever results with 73.1 per cent of exams passed at A*, A or B grades. Head teacher Alistair Brien said: “ These results mean they can move on to the next stage of their lives with confidence, ready to make a difference in the world.”

At The Arnewood School Sixth Form, more than 40 per cent of students achieved A*- B grades. Head Nigel Pressnell said: “I am delighted that the students’ hard work, together with the dedication of their teachers, has allowed them to progress to follow their dreams and ambitions.”

QE School in Wimborne has a record number of students going to university. Katie Boyes, head teacher, said: “I am thrilled for all of our students and incredibly proud of everything that they have achieved during their time with us.”

Poole Grammar School had 72.34 per cent of grades at A*/A/B, with a pass rate of 99.79 per cent. Top performers at A level included James Bennion-Pedley who got five A* grades. Head teacher Andy Baker said: “Congratulations to all students for their achievements.”

Students at Bournemouth School are celebrating after 50 per cent of all entries were graded A* or A and 72 per cent were graded A*-B. Amongst the most highly achieving students were Luke Howdle, Ayub Kharel, Patrick Pfeiffer and Harry Shaw, all achieving 4A*s. Seven students have secured places at Cambridge University and five at Oxford University. A further seven students have secured places to study medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry.

At Highcliffe School 27 per cent of grades were A, A*, Distinction or Distinction*. In 31 subjects the pass rate was 100 per cent and 82 per cent of grades were C or above.

Parkstone Grammar saw 72 per cent of all grades at A* - B and 88 per cent at A*-C. The A*-E pass rate was an exceptional 99 per cent. All students that have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge have been successful. Nine students will be starting medical or veterinary medical courses in the new term.

Nadine Lapskas, principal at LeAF Studio, said: “It has been another fantastic year for sixth form students at LeAF Studio, including at our partners Rockley Watersports and Bournemouth Academy of Modern Music. Students have completed a range of vocational and academic courses in order to progress to the next stages of their careers.”

Poole High School said it saw around half of its students achieve A*-B grades and over three quarters achieved A*-C. Exceptional individual results, included Ryan Budden A*AA, Bradley Eaton A*AA, Lauren Powell A*AA, Georgia Greenway AAA.

Paul Gray, Headteacher at Poole High School, said “We are celebrating a fantastic set of results for our students. We are thrilled that all students applying to university, have once again secured impressive places. The diverse range of undergraduate subjects being studied include: Medicine, Aerospace Engineering and Microbiology. The future looks very bright once again for our burgeoning Sixth Form.”

At St Peter’s School head teacher David Todd said: “The proportion of grades awarded A or equivalent and above this year is 22 per cent, up two per cent on last year. We expect our value added score, which measures the progress students make between GCSE and A Level, to be positive again.”

Ringwood School saw a 100 per cent pass rate with 55 per cent at A*-B. The percentage of A*-C grades went up four per cent to 84 per cent.

Corfe Hills Students are celebrating with 48 per cent of students achieving A* to B grades and 80 per cent achieving A* to C grades. Head teacher Phil Keen said: “I am incredibly proud of all the students who have worked so hard to achieve these results and made the very best of the wealth of opportunities available at Corfe Hills Sixth Form.”

Twynham School head teacher Jy Taylor said: “Post 16 education has been a volatile place over the last few years with changes to specifications and reduced funding and so it is pleasing that our students continue to do so well across 27 different A-Level subjects.” More than 50 per cent of grades were A*-B and almost 80 per cent A*-C.

Bournemouth & Poole College’s sixth form students are celebrating their success after achieving an overall pass rate of 97.14 per cent.

St Edward’s School saw a 10 per cent increase in A*-B grades. Head teacher Michael Antram said: “Our mission is to help our students to prepare for outstanding futures.”

At The Grange School students achieved Level 3 BTEC results in the top 25 per cent nationally. Health and Social Care students achieved 100 per cent Distinction*-merit.

Brockenhurst College saw an overall pass rate of 97 per cent and a 100 per cent pass rate in 23 subjects. Four in ten exams were graded A*-B.

Students at The Bishop of Winchester Academy are celebrating record breaking A level and BTEC results with many students heading off to Russell Group universities.

At Lytchett Minster School the overall A level pass rate was 99 per cent, with 78 per cent of exams graded A*-C.

Avonbourne students have won places at universities including York, Nottingham and Arts University Bournemouth.

Some 35 per cent of students at Ferndown Upper School received the top grades of A* or A.

Headteacher Philip Jones said: “These results demonstrate that Ferndown Upper’s students are definitely leading the way."

Bournemouth Collegiate School achieved its second highest ever set of A-level results with more than 90 per cent of pupils at the school gaining a place at their chosen university.

Headmaster Mr Russell Slatford said: “I could not be prouder of this year group, they have contributed a great deal to the life of the school and their achievements will be hard to surpass in coming years."

Canford School's top A* percentage grade was more than double the national proportion of 7.8 per cent with an A*-C pass rate was 91.2 per cent. Over three quarters of all papers were graded A*/B.

Headmaster Ben Vessey said: “These results demonstrate the consistency of Canford’s academic teaching to the highest levels."