ONE of the largest sixth-form colleges in the country has been celebrating after achieving a bumper set of A-level results – with a total of 659 A* grades given out.

Among those to collect their results were twins Chris and Patrick Lotery, who were celebrating twin results of five A*s.

The pair, who are both 18 and from Southampton, said they woke up at 7am to see the results published online before coming to collect them. Patrick said: “It felt pretty good,” while Chris added: “It’s definitely better than I thought.”

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Chris, who is going on to study at Churchill College, Cambridge University, achieved his top results in maths, further maths, physics, chemistry and the extended project qualification (EPQ) while his brother, on his way to study at Imperial College London, gained his results in maths, further maths, physics, Spanish and the EPQ.

However, there was no time for Patrick to celebrate as he was off to perform in the pit at the youth production of Peter Pan at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

Patrick said their parents were very happy and added: “I drew out the process of telling them in really long, excruciating fashion to torture them which was fun, but I did eventually tell them and they were very happy.”

Overall, the college had an A-level pass rate of 98% with 34% at A* or A and 62% B or above. Also all 272 vocational qualifications were successfully achieved and more than 70% of grades awarded for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) were A or A*.

Sara Russell, principal, said she was “thrilled” at the achievements of her students. Ms Russell said: “It is a very proud day for the college, the staff and the parents but, above all, it is a remarkably proud day for our students.”

Among the other students collecting their results was Oliver Redwood, 18, from Kings Worthy, who had the support of his mum Laura Mears.

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Oliver said he didn’t want to see the check the results online, instead waiting to collect them in person. He achieved AAB, which meant he had secured his first choice studying literature with creative writing at Warwick University.

He said: “I was up every hour of the night waiting to see.” He said he had a “flood of Snapchat messages” asking how he had done, but he still managed to avoid the temptation of checking online.

He added: “It was a huge relief. It was just what I needed this morning.”

Mum Laura, 48, said: “I’m over the moon, so pleased for him. He’s worked really, really hard. It has taken a lot of blood sweat and actual tears.”

Meanwhile 18-year-old Zoe Williams, from Weeke, was celebrating three A*s in maths, chemistry and biology, and said she had secured her place to study Chemistry at Durham University.

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Zoe, who has previously studied at Kings’ School, said the grades were better than expected.

Guy Parry, 18, from Twyford, achieved what he was aiming for with As in maths, chemistry, physics and an EPQ.

Guy said he had told his parents the results this morning. He said: “They were all really excited about it.” He will now be going to Exeter University to study chemical engineering.

Robert Wolfe, 18 from Southampton, was off to study in the Netherlands after achieving an A in economics and Bs in Maths and Classical Civilisations. Robert said he was going to study economics at Maastricht University.

He said: “I fancied studying abroad. It will be really good.” Robert said he was looking forward to meeting people with different backgrounds.

Debbie Matland, 18, from Whitchurch, said she was “really excited” to be heading into the world of business after securing her A-levels. Debbie said she is now looking to start a complementary therapy business.

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Her friend Zac Payne, 19, from Winchester, was off to study photography at UWE Bristol after getting an A in A-level photography.