Schools around the district are celebrating A Level grades as the results were announced on Thursday, August 17.

Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow, 16-year-old Jeanri Burger performed an arabesque for the Broadcast photographer after taking her dance A Level two years early and gaining a grade B with 100 per cent for her practical exam.

Overall, there was a 98% pass rate. One in three results were A*-B and there was also a significant increase in the A*-C pass rate. Victoria Wright, from Great Dunmow, achieved three starred distinctions, a distinction starred (equivalent to an A grade at A Level) for health and social care, a distinction* for applied science, and distinction* for enterprise and entrepreneurship plus a C for A Level sociology. Victoria will study criminology and sociology at Anglia Ruskin University.

Morgan Thompson, from Great Dunmow, achieved two As in physics and maths, a B in chemistry, a B in AS further maths and an A in EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). He has a place to study aeronautical engineering at Loughborough University.

Austin Hodge, from Great Dunmow, achieved an A* in English literature and B grades in in French and history. Matthew Washer, 19, from Great Easton, achieved an A in sociology and two Bs in psychology and law. He is hoping to study law with sociology at university.

Adam Hennessy, from Flitch Green, achieved an A* in Geography, a B in Maths, a C in Physics and a B in EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). He will study astrophysics at Leicester University.

At Felsted School, 64% achieved A* to B grades (up from 57% in 2016) and 87% achieving A* to C grades (up from 81% in 2016), with a 99% pass rate. More than 34% of all results were at A* or A grade, with many students confirming their places at the country’s top universities.

Students taking German, physics, Latin and further maths all achieved 100% A*-B. Students taking history, government and politics, art and design, chemistry, maths, psychology and theatre studies all achieved more than 75% A*-B grades.

Felsted’s top scorer was Luke Johnson, from Flitch Green, who gained three A*s in business studies, maths and further maths, plus an A grade in geography. Luke will be taking up his place at Deloitte’s on their BrightStart Higher Apprenticeship programme. He is on track to become a qualified accountant in five years.

Felsted’s top girl was Katie Smith, from Braintree, who gained an A* in art, two As in biology and maths and a B in chemistry. She has a place to study chemistry at Bristol.

Felsted’s top ten Ten achievers include Ugo Eze, a boarder from Nigeria who gained an A* in maths and three B grades in chemistry, physics and further maths. He will read maths at Exeter. Emily Butler from Chelmsford, bagged two A*s in PE and psychology and an A grade in geography, and will read geography at Exeter next year. Triplets Tom, Ben and Elicia Carrington, from High Easter all achieved their top offers. Tom gained an A* in history and maths, plus an A grade in economics to read history at Bristol. Ben achieved three A grades in geography, economics and maths to read economics and finance at Edinburgh. Elicia, gained an A* in art and B grades in English and history of art and will read fine art at Newcastle University.

Angus Muir, from Great Dunmow gained A* in economics and geography, with an A grade in religious studies. He achieved his offer to read international relations at Edinburgh, but is hoping to defer entry until 2018, as he is currently working at St Kevin’s School in Melbourne, Australia for a year.