YEARS of study all came down to today for students across Hampshire.

Emails and envelopes have been opened with equal trepidation by students who will be receiving their A-level results.

Celebrations broke out at colleges and sixth forms across the county as students reaped the rewards of their studies as they return to their campuses for the final time.

College leaders in Hampshire were largely reporting another year of record-breaking pass rates as youngsters continue to excel in their studies.

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The results have continued to rise or have at least been maintained despite fears that grades could dip after the Government removed the opportunity to take certain exams in January.

St Anne’s students led the cheers of celebration as they post another successful year for their sixth form.

Highest point score They helped achieve St Anne’s highest average UCAS point score, the system on which many university places are awarded. Students also managed a pass rate of 97.6 per cent.

Of those that passed 37 per cent of results were either A or A* grade, 61.3 per cent of results being achieved at a grade A*, A or B.

Well over three-quarters of the exam results were either A*, A, B or C grades – all of which are an increase on last year.

Head teacher Lyn Bourne said: “Many congratulations to our hard working students who have achieved excellent results this year, those who have remained at St Anne’s as well as those who have joined us from schools across the city and Hampshire.

“It is clear from the continually high achievement of our sixth form that we are extremely well placed to help our students through the ever-narrowing doorway into Higher Education.

“Very warm thanks to our students’ families and teachers for their invaluable support over the last two years. The impact of the care, support and guidance students are given at St Anne’s Sixth Form College can be seen in these superb results.”

Arnewood School was today celebrating its best ever crop of A-level results with 99 per cent of students gaining a pass at A* to E. Of those students 55 per cent achieved an A* to C grade with an incredible 52 A* grades handed out to students in the class of 2014.

A spokesman said: “As a long established, outstanding sixth form provider, the record breaking achievements this summer maintain the tradition of excellence."

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Celebrations were also breaking out at Brockenhurst College where students also maintained the college’s impressive pass rate of 99 per cent.

Provisional figures show that more than half of students gained A*-B grades, with three quarters of all students achieving A*-C grades across all subjects.

Nearly two-thirds of STEM subject students gained A*-B grades in physics, maths, chemistry and biology.

Principal, Di Roberts said: “Once again, Brockenhurst College students have attained outstanding A level results and I am tremendously proud of their individual achievements in this, our centenary year. I also take pride in the overall success of the college and thank the staff and parents for the part they have played in our students’ achievements. This is, as always, a great day of celebration for us all and I wish all the students who leave us today every success for the future.”

Totton College students excelled in their exams with pass rates at an all-time high with 99 per cent of students passing their A-levels – up over a per cent on last year.

“These results give cause for celebration and we are all proud of the successes we have seen in our examination performance this year,” principal, Mike Gaston said. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our students on their achievements and to thank my team of dedicated teachers and support staff who have worked very hard to support and encourage our students in gaining their qualifications.”

Despite only being the second crop of students to ever take A-levels at the recently formed Bitterne Park Sixth Form, this year’s class built on the successes of their predecessors.

98% pass rate A 98 per cent pass rate was posted by students at the Copsewood Road campus, that was also recently given a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

Of those 65 per cent secured an A* to C grade. Head of sixth form Olivia Murphy told the Daily Echo: “We are absolutely over the moon with these results. Just thrilled.”

King Edward VI School in Southampton again produced outstanding A level results with all students passing and 87.7 per cent of those doing so with grades at A*, A or B. A quarter of their students secured an A*.

Head teacher of the independent school, Julian Thould, said: “We are delighted that our students have performed so well. These are again exceptional results and show what sustained hard work and excellent teaching can achieve. Congratu-lations go to all of those who leave King Edward’s after such well deserved success.”

Success was also the order of the day at Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh where the A* to E pass rate exceed 98 per cent for the sixth consecutive year with 76 per cent of students achieving A* to C grades.

Principal Jonathan Prest said: “Results day provides a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of more than 1000 teenagers who have made 2014 such an outstanding year for Barton Peveril. I am proud of each individual’s contribution to a collective success.”

Itchen College students also had good reason to cheer with 97 per cent of students securing a pass at A-level.

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College also gained outstanding results with a near-perfect pass rate.

A spokesman for the college said: “Staff and students at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College are thrilled that the high standards achieved in 2013 and endorsed by Ofsted last October have been maintained.

“At a time when the Government has imposed tougher standards and removed the opportunity to sit exams in January, students have achieved a provisional overall A-level pass rate of 98 per cent.