KEY Stage 5 students at Shaftesbury School have been praised for their hard work and determination as they collected their A-level results today (August 14).

This year, 80% of the school’s university applicants received offers, with 74% securing their first-choice placement.

The remaining 20% are being supported through Clearing by the school’s dedicated Sixth Form team.

Head of school Mrs Bowen said, “Our students have shown incredible perseverance and determination, and today’s results reflect both their talent and hard work.

“We could not be prouder of their achievements and are excited to see what they will go on to accomplish next.”

READ MORE: Armed police arrest pair after attempted knife-point break-in in Shaftesbury

READ MORE: Golf simulator and sandwich bar planned for Shaftesbury

Some students have been highlighted after they achieved exceptional grades.

• Arabella B. – Achieved an excellent set of As and Bs
• Isla P. – Exceeded her targets in all three subjects, earning As, Bs, and a Distinction*
• Reuben S. – Surpassed his targets in three subjects, achieving Bs across the board
• Rosie B. – Achieved Distinctions and Distinction* in all her subjects
• Ella P. – Attained Distinction* and Distinction grades in every subject
• Charlie D. – Secured Bs across all of his subjects
• Mariia B. – Achieved As across her art subjects

The school said it was “particularly pleased” with exceptional Level 3 performances in drama, after all students achieved A or B grades, and geography, BTEC sport, psychology, health and social care, travel and tourism, physics, and biology and more than a quarter of students achieved A*-A grades.

A school spokesperson said: “Our students will be progressing to a variety of prestigious institutions, including: University of Leeds, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff University, University of Plymouth, University of Brighton, King’s College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Holloway, University of Liverpool, and Falmouth University.

“They will be pursuing an impressive range of courses such as law, forensic psychology, biochemistry, history, criminology, radiography, nursing, game development, financial trading, and archaeology.”

Some students have also chosen to take a gap year to travel before continuing their studies or entering the workforce.

Top A-level results across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have risen with 28.3% of all grades are marked at A* or A, up from 27.8% last year.

UCAS said a record number of students got into their first-choice university.