STUDENTS at a Guisborough college have set the bar high after achieving a record breaking 99 per cent pass rate for this year’s A-levels.

And with several students realising their ambition of securing places at Oxford and Cambridge, Prior Pursglove College has had a year to remember.

Principal Judy Burton was delighted with the results and was proud of how well the students had done this year.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “We have achieved a pass rate of 99 per cent and the all the students, parents and staff are over the moon with this year’s results.”

Lucy Allison, who is heading to Oxford to study biological science, said: “I’m really excited and I can’t wait to start my degree course. I couldn’t stop shaking when I opened my results and realised that I had achieved an A* in biology and chemistry and an A in history, which was enough to secure my place.”

Tom Preston is set to embark on a career in medicine after securing a place at Cambridge when he achieved an A* in chemistry and an A in maths, biology and physics.

He said: "When I was predicted to get good results I thought 'why not apply to Cambridge' so I did and was delighted to pass the interview and be offered a place. Now I can't wait to get there to study."

One student who battled against the odds was Glenn Foster who was predicted to get Ds or Es due to his diagnosis of autism but overcame his fears and secured an A in history and in politics as well as a distinction in business studies.

He said: “Before I moved to this college I wasn’t expected to do very well but the support and help I have had meant that I was able to much better than anyone thought and have secured a place at Newcastle University.”