STAFF at Commonweal School have praised the hard work and diligence of every single student who yesterday received their A-level results.

“75 per cent of our grades are grades are in line with, or above, national results, and we are very happy with that,” said deputy head Charles Drew.

“This is one of the best days of the year. Seeing all the hard work they have put it finally payoff and seeing them get rewarded for what they have achieved is wonderful.”

One star student was thrilled with her results.

Rakshika Rasaiya, 17, got an A* in maths, an A in biology and an A in chemistry; just before she spoke to the Adver she was frantically phoning universities she’d applied to, with the likely result that she would be accepted on the spot.

She said: “I have definitely done better than I thought. I was hoping for three As, so getting an A* in maths is fantastic.

“I was a little bit nervous before coming in today, but I’m so pleased with the results.”

Other students were equally as proud of their achievements.

A bout of hysterics emanating from down the corridor led right to 17-year-old Isobel Daglish who was thrilled with bagging a B in English.

She said: “I would have been happy with a C, so this is even better. I will certainly be celebrating today – and this evening.”

And it was a very impressive A, A, B in maths, further maths and chemistry for Laura Clarke, 18.

Laura said: “I’m really proud of these results, it’s a great feeling.”

Laura has set her sights on going to Africa for a gap year while she plots her next move.

She said: “I want to take a bit of a break from education and spend time in another country helping people.”