A* celebrations for A-level students in Stourbridge - and a Cambridge University offer

Students at King Edward VI College, in Stourbridge, were among the thousands of West Midlands A-level students to receive their A-level results at school this morning (Thursday, August 14) - facing the nerve-wracking wait to open the white envelope promising either joy or, in some cases, sorrow.

It all follows two years of hard studying, with many students knuckling down each and every day to attain the highest possible grade in their final exams.

This year, students at King Edward VI College were no different, with hundreds of eager learners cheering with joy as they opened their letters, only to find they had received top marks across the board.

The top marks meant that the students could now prepare for their life of higher education, or in many cases, apprenticeships or gap years.

One student at the college, Chloe Harris, 18, from Northfield, Birmingham, even received an offer to study Veterinary Medicine at the prestigious University of Cambridge after achieving an A*A*A.

She said: "I was so shocked. It's been such a surreal experience. Every single day that I got the offer I've hoped for, every single step of the learning journey has been amazing. 

"School has had its ups and downs, but I've cracked on with it and just tried to remain consistent. All I can say is, don't think anything is too high, if you want anything bad enough, you can get it!"

Chloe's mum said that 'tears were shed' when she heard about her daughter's results, saying that she 'couldn't be prouder'.

However, Chloe wasn't the only student to achieve top marks in her field, with Josh Khela achieving monumental tipple A*s in his studies, the highest possible grade attainable. 

When asked about opening his letter, surrounded by his classmates, Josh said: "We were all a bit surprised to see that we had done so well, but relieved too. 

"And my friends are all planning on going to the University of Birmingham, I'm hoping to study medicine and go on to become a doctor."

Josh wasn't the only smartie in his friends group, as his close mates, Matthew Bowater, Tom Chatterley and Mark Spurrier all achieved high grades across the board, achieving A*AA, A*AB, and AAA respectively. 

Walking through the halls of the college, it was a mixture of emotions, but regardless of the overall grade, students and teachers were cheerfully supporting each other in an amazing show of camaraderie. 

Cheering each other on were life-long friends Ada Oparah, 18, who achieved a A*AA, and wants to study law at Nottingham University, and Cleo Dennis, 18, who achieved A*AA, and wants to become an orthodontist after taking a gap year.

Ada said: "It's amazing to get the grades. I'm going to study law at Nottingham University. I'm thinking of taking the SQE exam for the BAR I'm really looking forward to it."

Michael and Patricia Dennis, who joined their daughter Cleo in celebrating, said that they couldn't be prouder of their daughter, saying that Clieo's grandfather couldn't read or write, and it's amazing to see how their family has exceeded across generations. 

They said: "There were definitely tears on our side. We don't cry that much, really, but there were definitely tears this morning.

"It's amazing what she has achieved; she has really worked hard for the grades. She has missed family parties, and she has stayed in to revise and study. She has really earned this.

"Cleo's grandfather couldn't read or write, so it means a lot for her to achieve this. It's amazing to see how these things change through generations. We're so proud." 

Principal at the College, Holly Bembridge, said that she couldn't be prouder of what her students have achieved, and wished each and every student endless amounts of success in the future. 

She said: "I'm so proud of all my students. I know it's a difficult time; they have been waiting for these grades for a long time, and it's amazing to see them collecting the fruits of their very hard work. 

"I wish them all the best, and also, all the best for students across the Black Country and the wider UK, and I hope everyone is going on to have very happy and bright futures."

Overall the school experienced a 99 per cent pass rate across a total of 2936 exams, with nearly 2000 high grades at an A* for A-levels.