JUBILANT students at St George’s in Harpenden have been celebrating having topped the school’s previous records.

Many of the 150 A-level students were awarded four As and a number achieved the controversial new A* grade.

More than 300 students queued up outside the school’s examination office from 8am in what was the longest ever wait for results.

Headteacher Norman Hoare said: “Our students have done us proud and brought enormous credit to their teachers and supportive parents. We knew they would be good this year but they have exceeded out high expectations. A* and individual achievements at all levels are outstanding and bring tears to the eyes.

“It’s another year of celebration all round for our community even though we know it’s a darned sight tougher to get into university this year. Highly qualified staff were on hand to work with those who may only have missed their first preference by a point or two.”

Results were also in for a special group who worked on the new Extended Project Qualification (EP), which is worth as much as an additional A-level, and they were “out of this world” according to Mr Hoare.

He added: “This is a very demanding intellectual challenge with a special approach to learning and studying led by mentors – staff who gave up their time to see this first cohort through are rejoicing because all of the ten candidates excelled themselves by everyone gaining an A*, the highest award possible.”