STUDENTS at St Joseph’s College were left standing in a shower of A*s, As and Bs this morning as they turned out to collect their A-level results.

After two years of hard work, the 18-year-olds gathered in the sports hall at 8.30am to open the envelopes to their futures.

The mood in the hall was overwhelmingly positive, with most students achieving their targets and some going above and beyond.

Mark Crasto, who lives near the County Ground and has received awards for his dedication and commitment during his time at St Joseph’s, came away with three A*s – in geography, maths and economics.

Mark, who also got an A in physics and now plans to go to the University of Exeter to study economics and finance, said: “I’m incredibly proud and flabbergasted.

“The work has been very tiring and I’m pleased it’s all over. In the long term, I’m hoping to go into finance and banking and make myself financially secure for the rest of my life.”

Lucy Bailey, of Old Walcot, achieved a very impressive A* in maths, A in physics and B in further maths, but is yet to decide on where to go next.

She said: “I’m feeling much more relaxed now that it’s over. A-levels are hard and are such a huge step up from GCSEs.”

“I’m really pleased with my results, though. The hard work has paid off.”

A delighted Shauna Hanrahan, of Park North, is heading to Bristol’s University of the West of England in September to fulfil her dream of studying physiotherapy after getting that all important B in biology.

“It’s absolutely amazing, I feel great. Biology was the one thing that was important and I’m really happy that I got a B, I’m going to celebrate today.

Bernadette Barratt, of Rushy Platt, said: “I’m just happy that I got a B in chemistry, I don’t really mind about the others.”

Bernadette has been accepted on the forensics course at the University of Winchester and is delighted by the prospect.

“I’m really looking forward to that, it’s going to be amazing,” she said.

“I didn’t really have a plan B so it was either that or nothing. I’m just so happy right now.”

Proud mum Ruth said: “I’m very pleased for her and it’s such a relief that she can do what she wants. It is disappointing when they have a plan and don’t get the results they need to see it through, so I’m very proud of her.”

Paul Hughes, principal at St Joseph’s, said: “There has been a lot of hard work from students and staff and it has all paid off. The majority achieved their predicted grades and there are some exceptional performances as well.

“It’s a small year group this year and we’re all very proud of what they have achieved. Now they have the chance to go and do what they want to do.”

Erron Larcombe, of East Swindon, was very happy with her B in geography as now she can go to the University of St Mark & St John to study P.E. and follow her dream of becoming a P.E. teacher.

She said: “The work was stressful, but it was worth it.”