The record-breakers at Peter Symonds' College, Winchester, have done it again, with 98.5% of the 1,050 students gaining their A-levels - 2.5% above the national pass rate.

Moreover 80% of the passes were at A-C grades and almost a third - 31.3% - were at A.

"According to David Miliband, the schools minister, the new gold standard is three As," said college principal, Neil Hopkins.

"At Peter Symonds', nearly one in five students achieved three or more As and the top 50 scored five or more. In 20 subjects, there was a 100% pass rate."

Candidates waited anxiously, dodging showers, until the tutors arrived with the precious envelopes which would determine their future plans. The doors opened, the students disappeared, the nervous parents were left outside.

There was silence for a moment and then the place erupted with cries of delight and amazement. Mobile phones and texting thumbs went into overdrive as they shared the news.

Sam Cockwell sat his GCSEs in the Falkland Islands and then boarded at the sixth-form college. He was delighted to get the required grades for Manchester University, where he will study environmental sciences.

He congratulated his friend and fellow boarder, Rosanna Phillips, a former pupil of St Gabriel's, Newbury, who will read law at Cambridge.

"I have really enjoyed being at Peter Symonds' and am looking forward to university," Sam said. "This is a terrific day."

Isabel McTuffin, who attended Henry Beaufort School, Winchester, secured her place at Cambridge to read engineering with four As, with a distinction in the maths extension paper. "I am so happy, both for myself and for all my friends here," she said.

"This is always an emotional day," said Mr Hopkins, who has been at the college for 11 years. "It's a proud day, too and a pleasure to see so many students getting the reward for their hard work.

"Anyone who says that standards are falling is talking bunkum. Records are falling every day at the Olympics. Have they made the pool smaller or the weights lighter?"

Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh, is also celebrating another vintage year and matched Symonds', with a 98.5% pass rate, with 70.2% of results at A-C

"It's a brilliant day," said principal, Godfrey Glyn, "and yet another record for students and staff, with a 100% pass rate in 29 subjects. The teaching is getting better and the students are working harder than they did 10 years ago."

Jennifer Gallant achieved a B and two Ds and is now off to University College of Winchester for a course in primary school teaching. "Barton Peveril is great for your social life," she enthused, "and there's a lot of support for the students if they need it."

Matthew Sheret, from Hedge End, who attended Wildern, is hoping his four grade As will equip him for a career in the movies. He will read film and American studies at King's College, London.

"There seems to be quite a lot of pressure to decide what to do after that," said Matthew, who wants to use what he learns at university to help him plot his next move.

Student president, Daniel Fitzhenry, hopes that his three As and a B will help him become Prime Minister. "I'm already a member of the Young Conservatives," said Daniel, who comes from Bassett, in Southampton and will read politics and history at Southampton University.

There was joy, too, at Brockenhurst College, where the pass rate was 96.5%. College records were broken, with 69.5% A-C grades and 29 students achieved three or more A grades.

There was 100% success in 20 A-level subjects. "These results are outstanding," said principal, Michael Snell. "They reflect the ability and commitment of both teachers and students."

Like the other principals, he feels that examinations are not easier today. "The quality of teaching and learning is improving all the time."

Two students, Anna Bewley and Josephine Mooring-Aldridge, achieved one of the top five marks in textiles.