Smiles outnumbered frowns when Devizes School students turned up to collect their A level results today.

Most of the 75 students taking A levels got at least enough to get them into their chosen courses.

Headmaster Malcolm Irons said this was a result of close liaison between staff and pupils.

He said: “It is important for those people taking A levels to get the grades they need to get them to where they want to go.

“We have offered sensible guidance to get their top offer, but also to make sure they have realistic expectations if there are any glitches.

“It is all about the one-to-one tuition we have offered to all our students to make sure they get their expectations right and get them where they want to go.”

Certainly most of those opening their envelopes in the sixth form common room this morning were delighted with their results.

This was particularly true for Jessica Bradley, from Market Lavington, whose three As at A level astounded her. She only needed an A and two Bs to study graphic art at Southampton University.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it. I just wasn’t expecting those grades.”

Her mother, Deborah, who has just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan as a civilian MOD worker, said: “I am so pleased for her. She has had a lot to put up with over the last few months, especially with me being away.

“People always say A-levels are getting easier but I can tell them it is not true. They all have to work very hard.”

Saskia Charity, also from Market Lavington, got As in physics and English and Bs in chemistry and maths. She said: “I am going on a gap year to Argentina. I hope to do medicine but I may need to retake chemistry. We’ll have to see.”

Kate Pearce, another Market Lavington resident, is off to study medical genetics at Leicester after getting three As in psychology, maths and biology, while her friend Hannah Van Der Bergh will go to Cardiff to study law after her three As and a B.

Some 98.2 per cent of pupils passed, with 38.8 per cent of them achieving grades A and B.