THE dedication and hard work of A-level students across Barnet paid off as pupils received excellent results.

Headteacher of St Martha’s School in Hadley Wood, was incredibly proud of his students on results day.

The school celebrated achieving a 100 per cent pass rate. Some 13 per cent of grades were A*-A, and 42% of grades A*-B.

Headmaster Matthew Burke said: “With a number of students securing straight A*-A’s this year and entering the top universities studying some of the most competitive courses these results reflect the hard work, effort and

"I am incredibly proud not only of the results that have been secured but the adults that they have become. As always, our leavers have proven to be outstanding role models for the rest of our school community and we wish them luck in their future studies.”

Natasha Calvert, 18, said: “I was nervous this morning but I'm happy with my results.

“I will study classic vocational degree in Nottingham University, because I have always enjoyed the subject since we started studying it in year 8."

Hannah Riordan, who turned 18 last week, received an A* in Art, an A in Mathematics and a B in Religious education.

She said: “I am very pleased with my results. I'm going to start an art foundation course and then I'd like to go to Glasgow University, I really liked it when I visited. I'm going to Paris with family to celebrate my birthday and results."

An impressive 98.9 per cent of 516 exams taken at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, were awarded A* - B grades.

A total of 36 boys secured offers from Oxford or Cambridge, while there were 30 places offered for degree courses in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “This is very good news and is a just reward for the efforts of our pupils and their teachers. The performance has really been stellar across all subjects and I am very grateful to the bright and capable staff who teach here.”

Harry Riley gained an A* and two as to secure his first choice of History at Warwick University.

Sahil Handa, who joined the school in Year 7 after a period of living in India, said: “The school has formed me and my character the whole way through.”

He has won a place at Harvard in the US, one of two boys to gain places at Ivy League universities.

At Barnet and Southgate College, more than 400 students were given their results, many of them exceeding their own expectations.

Samatar Aweys, aged 19 from Mill Hill had a challenging start after not doing that well in his AS levels at school, but he turned things around at Barnet and Southgate College for his A levels and his hard work and determination paid off, studying A levels in Economics (Grade A), Mathematics (Grade B) and Business Studies (Grade B).

Samatar said: “I’m so pleased I’ve actually got the grades and got my first choice university place at Queen Mary College in London, where I’ll be studying Economics, which has always been my dream. Barnet and Southgate College has been the best atmosphere for me, it’s been challenging but I’ve loved it and wish I could do it all over again.”