FANTASTIC A Level results have left a smile on the faces of staff and pupils at the Grange School in Hartford.

The private school celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and what better present than a set of A Level results that match last years record-breaking achievement.

Staff and pupils celebrated as 72 per cent of students achieved either an A or a B grade in their A level exams.

These results have confirmed the Grange's position as one of the country's leading co-educational schools.

Craig Landells, aged 18, from Delamere Park, was celebrating after securing three grade As in maths, physics and chemistry.

Craig intends to study natural science at Durham University.

Headteacher Jenny Stephen said: "A mixture of hard-working pupils and dedicated staff goes a long way towards explaining these results, but another major factor is the range of extra-curricular activities on offer within the school.

"Working hard and playing hard may be old fashioned, but it is still a wonderful recipe for success.

"I'm sure a major part of our achievement is because we're the exact opposite of an examination factory and the excitement of being able to do so much in music, sport, drama and all the other activities flows over in to the classroom."

scorrigan@guardiangrp.co.uk