The smiles said it all at Helston Community College when its year 13 students collected their A Level and BTEC results.

Staff are equally delighted as the results showed that 74 per cent of the grades awarded were between A* and C with eight per cent of students achieving the highest possible A* grade. On the BTEC courses, 71 per cent of students were rewarded for their hard work with Distinction* grade - again the highest possible.

Headteacher, Donna Bryant said: " We are delighted that the students’ hard work has paid off. We are really pleased for our students and proud of their achievements and thrilled to see so many achieve their first choice university place."

Students are moving on to a diverse range of higher education, employment and apprenticeships. This year sees 93 teenagers heading off to university with 22 per cent of them bound for prestigious Russell Group or research intensive universities.

Among those is Harvey Taylor who is off to Exeter University to begin his study of medicine. Some arts students have also secured highly competitive places at prestigious arts colleges including Cara Cox Webber who will begin her study of the scenic arts at Rose Bruford College in September.

The head of college, Wayne Jenkins added: "I am so pleased that this year group has done so well. They are a delightful, well-rounded group of students with many skills and qualities to back up their academic success."