STUDENTS across Cleveland are celebrating a record year for A-level exam results.

Records tumbled at all the major colleges and schools in the area, with pass rates and the number of top grades soaring to new highs.

Yarm School completed a clean sweep with a 100pc pass rate and 61pc of candidates achieving grades A and B.

Ten students were awarded places at Oxford and Cambridge universities, representing 13pc of the school's exam candidates - another record.

Paul Peeling, 18, from Eaglescliffe, was the school's top performer, gaining six passes, all at grade A.

Paul's passes in design technology, electronics, maths, further maths, physics and general studies mean he will now take up a place at Clare College, Cambridge, in the autumn to read electrical and information sciences.

He has already achieved spectacular success by being awarded an Arkwright Engineering scholarship, as well as working on a project with Rolls-Royce, where his work will potentially save the company thousands of pounds.

Close behind Paul was Jonathan Lonsdale, from Ingleby Barwick, who managed 5 grade As, while Christopher Duggan, from Osmotherley, and Victoria Westwood, from Hutton Rudby, each passed in six subjects. Ten other students passed in five subjects.

Headmaster David Dunn said: "I am absolutely delighted with these outstanding results. The overall pass rate of 100pc is a fantastic credit to all students and their teachers, and the record number of top grades and places at Oxford and Cambridge universities reinforce the school's reputation as one of the best in the region."

The pass rate at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough increased by more than 5pc, along with the national average, and a third of its students gained the top two grades.

Thirteen students secured at least four grade As, including Holly Dear, Laura Graham, Claire Laughton and Simon Thompson, who each passed all their five A-levels at the highest grade and with merits or distinctions in the new Advanced Extension Awards.

Corrie-Ann Burton, Jennifer Colvin, Liz Gavens, Rachael Healey and Richard Webster all added merits or distinctions to their four A grades and 44 students gained at least two A grades.

The pass rate at AS level was, as last year, 3pc above the national average. Fourteen students passed all four or even five subjects at grade A and a further 55 gained at least two A grades.

Principal Stephen Whitehead said: "Considering our open access policy and the large number of A-level candidates, almost 500, it is a remarkable achievement to reach the 94pc pass rate - our highest ever result.

"I am delighted that our students' hard work, together with the professionalism and dedication of their teachers, has produced such outstanding results.

"Prior Pursglove College is anxious that all its students do as well as they can and we are always pleased when individuals gain the success they deserve."

The girls at Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe went one better than last year.

This year's A-level results achieved a higher pass rate and more top grades than ever before.

Ten of the students gained three or more A grades, while Laura Humphries, 18, from Hartlepool, passed five A levels, all at grade A. Three girls, Laura and Sophia Mahroo and Gemma Smith, gained the grades needed to take up places offered at Oxbridge colleges.

Headmistress Hilary French was delighted with the results. She said: "It's very pleasing for the girls, who will be thrilled when they learn how they have done."

She added that 42pc of the grades were at A, another record for the school.

For the third year running, overall passes at Stockton Sixth Form College reached 95pc, with students hitting the 100pc mark in 18 subjects.

One student who is celebrating is Stephen Gosling, 18, of Sedgefield, who gained four A- levels with A grades in biology, geology, chemistry and physics. He is now bound for Cambridge University to study veterinary medicine.

College principal Howard Clarke said there had been a 10pc increase in entries, against a drop of 5pc nationally.

He added: "What is evident from these consistent results is that sixth form colleges have a very important and specific role in helping students to achieve their full potential and to enable them to reach grades they need for entry into university."

Students at Egglescliffe School also achieved a pass rate of 95pc in A-levels, with 62pc of candidates achieving grades A-C.

Four students gained places at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

* See Leading article, page 20