THEY spent months cramming, swotting and memorising - but now they will find out if their hard work has paid off.

Today tens of thousands of Hampshire teenagers will gather at colleges and sixth forms to collect their A-Level results.

For many the results will impact whether they can go to their chosen universities to continue their studies.

It should be good news for many youngsters as early indications suggest the percentage of students achieving an A or A* will increase.

Among the top achievers are students from Peter Symonds College in Winchester where 99 per cent of students passed including 83 per cent who achieved A*s to Cs.

Meanwhile, students at Brockenhurst College also did extremely well with 98.5 per cent of their 500 A Level students passing their exams and St Annes Catholic School where 98 per cent of sixth formers passed with grades A* to E.

It comes after St Annes Catholic School in Carlton Road became the only state school in Southampton to be rated outstanding in its Ofsted inspection earlier this year, as previously reported.

Headmistress Miss Bourne said: "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."

At King Edward VI School, students once again produced outstanding A level results.

Every one of the scholars at the independent school passed their A levels with 85per cent of grades at A*, A or B with over 55per cent at A* and A. Nine students, 10per cent of all our university applicants this year, have offers for places at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and over four fifths will proceed to Russell Group universities.

Head Master, Julian Thould, comments: “We are again delighted that our students have gained such excellent results.

They show what persistent hard work and excellent teaching can achieve. Congratulations go to all of those who leave King Edward’s for university after such well-deserved success.”

Meanwhile Barton Peveril Sixth Form College is celebrating after 98.4 per cent of their 1,225 A Level students passed their exams.

Principal Jonathan Prest said: "We are incredibly proud of our dedicated, committed and aspirational students and how hard they have worked on their A Level and Vocational courses.

“We wish them the very best of luck in receiving their exam results.”

For many students however, today may see the start of a nervous wait if they haven't quite delivered on expected grades The county's universities say they are on hand to help with students who may not have made the grade. The University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University and the University of Winchester have set up special clearing hotlines to help students concerned that they may not have the grades needed to take their first choice of subject as well as those who can now take a more challenging degree.

It comes after a record 64,300 students, equating to one in eight, last year found their university place through clearing, the annual process that helps students sign up for courses that still have vacancies, according to national university admission service Ucas.

Solent University's head of student recruitment Karen Arnold added: “Thousands of students go through clearing at universities across the country each year – so you’re not alone.

"If you don’t get the results you wanted, or if you change your mind about which university is right for you, don’t panic – it’s not the end of the world. Speak to your university’s clearing team who will be able to help.

“Thousands of students go through clearing at universities across the country each year – so you’re not alone."

Almost half of those using clearing will be placed by Monday.

It is not just A-Level results that will be handed out today. Students at City College Southampton have achieved another successful set of results in level 3 technical professional courses helping them to progress to university or to high quality apprenticeships in their chosen careers.

A 100 per cent pass rate was achieved in many subject areas including Marine, Engineering and Electrical; Health & Social Care; Performing Arts and Media; Travel & Tourism and Hospitality.

Principal Sarah Stannard said, “City College congratulates all our successful students and wishes them every success for their future, either at university or at work.

"It’s important that students who have studied technical profession subjects are recognised for their achievements alongside those who have followed more traditional subjects, as their journey is equally challenging and rewarding.

"As demand for sector specific skills increases within certain industries, at City College we pride ourselves in preparing individuals for work or for progression to university to help them realise their ambitions”.

Helplines

Southampton Solent University's clearing team can be contacted on 023 8001 1722 or ask@solent.ac.uk. Students can also contact them through social media.

The University of Southampton's clearing hotline is 023 8059 8989.

The University of Winchester's clearing team will be on 01962 827234.

Students can also call the Ucas exam results helpline for advice on a range of options including university on 0808 100 8000.

Youngsters can also receive free confidential support or counselling by calling the Childline helpline on 0800 1111 or visiting childline.org.uk