STUDENTS from Bridport and Beaminster have been celebrating another set of outstanding A and AS level results.

The Sir John Colfox and Beaminster schools' sixth form partnership saw 99 per cent of its pupils gain passes.

"I am delighted with these results," said Colfox head Kay Taylor.

"Students have again worked really hard. For the last few years the A level results in both schools, especially for the top grades have been excellent and this pattern continued this year."

The 99 per cent pass rate is well above the national average and of these 76 per cent of the grades were A - C and 47 per cent A - B. There were some outstanding individual achievements.

Oliver Tweed had four As while Joseph Horne, Ryan Mitchell, Emily Smith, Cynthia Robertshaw and Katie Churchouse had three As and Martha Michaud three As and a D. Zoe Bevis, Will Bowditch, Laura Dayman all achieved two As and a B.

Mike Best, Headteacher of Beaminster School, said: "Students across the range of abilities achieved well. While there were large numbers of As and Bs, the important thing is that the vast majority of students achieved the grades they needed to go on to what they wanted to do. I am delighted that these students have done so well and we are very proud of all they have achieved."

Several students scored full marks in some units - Chloe Green in drama, Melanie Oliver in photography, Chloe Woodward in French, Sky Procter in textiles, Natalie Moxom in sociology, Andrew Farmer and Oliver Tweed in maths, Joe Nava, Tanya Remnant and Zoe Bevis in Art, Oliver Tweed in further maths, Felicity Ludgate in English Literature, Oliver Tweed in two physics papers and Jason Boyd, Matthew Fuszard, Natalie Gale and Ryan Halsey in performing arts and Laura Griffith in Textiles.

There were some outstanding individual results at AS. Particularly pleasing were the results of sisters Lydia and Eloise O'Donaghue who both achieved four A grades at AS level. Chloe Green, head girl next year at Colfox, also achieved four As as did Zoe Ridd. Caroline Ryder-Dobson, April Foote and Zoe Tremayne achieved three As and a B.

"Every year there is talk in the press of A levels becoming easier. Our experience on the ground is that these exams are very tough," said Mrs Taylor.

"They require two years of concentrated hard work and this year some students found themselves sitting three exams in one day of up to nine hours.

"It is getting harder to get into university and only exceptional hard work on the part of the students and good quality teaching and pastoral support in school will deliver these top results. Students, teachers and parents all deserve praise for what they have achieved."

Added Mr Best: "The majority of our students will be starting courses at University in the next two years. We know they leave us well prepared for the future and we wish them every success."