A girls school near Hitchin gained its best A-level results in five years this morning.

Pupils at Princess Helena College, Preston, achieved excellent grades overall, including 42 per cent of marks at A* or A, and 65 per cent A* to B.

Head Sue Wallace-Woodroffe said: “We are thrilled to see the upper sixth girls gain such fantastic results.

“They have been a wonderful group of girls and deserve to feel proud of their achievements.”

Delighted student Maria Minchenko, 18, said: “My biggest dream has come true! I am graduating from school full of happiness and gratitude for the time I spent at PHC, and I look forward to going off to study Japanese at Oxford University.”

Another pupil, Libby Ward, also 18, said: “I’m shocked but overjoyed with my A*AA– it’s better than I expected. PHC has supported me so much over the last six years I have been here – and I have to thank all my teachers and staff for the work they have put in to help me get my place at Warwick University.”

PHC pupil Emma Kendall, 18, added: “I am just so relieved and amazed with my results. It doesn’t feel real!

“I’m going to my first choice university, Leeds, with a year abroad – I’m over the moon.”