Record results for both A and AS Levels have been applauded at St Columba’s College in St Albans.

A spokeswoman said that records have been beaten at both levels at the school for the third successive year, despite tougher criteria for gaining top grades in public examinations being forecast nationally.

She said the Upper Sixth A-Level results were particularly impressive with the A*-B percentage at a record 77 per cent; while the A*/A percentage was 44 per cent.

Pride of place went to head boy Edward Buttler-Caddle with four A* grades in chemistry, maths, physics and further maths.

Edward will be taking up his place to read Natural Sciences at St John’s College, Cambridge.

Fellow student George Partington gained three A* grades in maths, physics and further maths, while Stephen Mears achieved two A* grades.

Achieving straight A grades, including at least one A*, were: Thomas Webster, Daniel Lenihan, David Lifely, Henry Barrett, Daniel Blackwell and Adam Yorweth.

Sixty-eight per cent of the year group gained at least one A grade.

The high standard of results allowed the vast majority of students to take a place with their first choice of university.

The Lower Sixth AS results were also record-breaking with 62 per cent achieving A/B grades.