The nervous wait is over for students across Croydon as A-level results are revealed. 

Teenagers headed into schools and sixth-form colleges this morning, with many learning whether they had achieved the grades needed to land their desired place at university.

Those who miss out face a search for a place through clearing.

Many schools and colleges in Croydon have celebrated an increase in pass rates this year. 

Riddlesdown Collegiate saw a 98 per cent pass rate, with three-quarters of all grade at A*-C. 

Nearly half those grades were B or higher, an increase of almost five percentage points on the class of 2013.

Sarah Chant, head of the school's sixth-form, said: "I am so pleased that the hard work has paid off. Particularly pleasing is that these results are achieved across the range of subjects.

"Behind these results there are so many stories of determination and I could not be more proud of these great students and their amazing teachers."

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Riddlesdown Collegiate students Grace Smith, Emily Goodman, Nicole Makomva, Sophie Dubber, Katie Hobant, Tara Tank, Emma Newbery and Hakeem Kushoro celebrate their results

At Quest Academy in Selsdon, the school's first A-level cohort achieved a 98 per cent pass rate, with 49 per cent of grades at A*-C. 

Principal Andy Crofts said: "I am delighted for these students who have worked so hard to achieve these results, sometimes against challenging odds. They are Quest’s first sixth-formers and have done us all proud.

"Four years ago, the school that stood on this site had a reputation for poor teaching and even poorer behaviour.

"Now, we celebrate the changes we have made, which are exemplified in these extremely promising A Level results."

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Students Tadiwanashe Mungate, Shannon Pace and Jessica Dagnall with Quest headteacher Andy Crofts

Woodcote High School in Coulsdon celebrated a record-high pass rate of 99.4 per cent, meaning every student has secured a spot at university.

Ninety per cent of those bagged a place on their first-choice course.

The school's students achieved 80.1 per cent grades A*-C and 56.4 per cent A*-B.

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Amy Madigan celebrates achieving the three B grades that have won her at place to psychology at the University of Liverpool

Joe Brack, head of sixth form, said: "It was a privilege to be able to share in the students' happiness and success today.

"They have worked diligently throughout the year this coupled with the support of staff has led to their amazing success.  

"We would like to wish them luck as they embark upon a new chapter in their lives."

Croydon College achieved a 93 per cent pass rate including 51 per cent at A*-C - up from 44 per cent last year.

Frances Wadsworth, principal, said: "I’m proud of the work that students have undertaken, with support from committed staff, to ensure the best possible outcomes and futures for our students.

"We're determined to make Croydon College the best college in London, so making a substantial difference to our community. I heartily congratulate both the students and staff on these results."

Croydon North MP congratulated the college: "I am absolutely delighted that Croydon College's results are so good and continuing on an upward trend."

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Terry Hillier, Chris Walsh and Oliver White contemplate their results at Woodcote High School

Shirley's Coloma Convent Girls' School, consistently Croydon's highest performing state school, celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate, with 41 per cent of grades A* or A. 

Students Sophia Luu, Nicole Cripps and Poppy Young were all achieved three or more A* grades, while Sophia, Nicole and two other girls also landed places at Oxford or Cambridge.

Ninety-three per cent of grades were A*-C and 75 per cent were A*-B. 

Headteacher Maureen Martin said: "We congratulate all the girls on so many fantastic results, which are a credit to their hard work, the commitment and enthusiasm of our staff, governors and trustees, and the support of their families and friends.

"Particularly pleasing have been the excellent results from those girls who joined us in the sixth form alongside those from Coloma’s Year 11 who had been offered places to remain in the sixth form for A-levels. 

"Every single student has had the opportunity to excel and nearly all have done so. We are delighted for our girls and wish them every blessing in the future."

Oasis Academy Shirley Park, which is its second year of A-level results, achieved a 98 per cent pass rate - up from 96 per cent last year. 

Forty-seven per cent of students achieved A*-C and a quarter got A*-B.

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Oasis Academy Shirley Park students Lucy Dekker, Nicole Perez-Chamberlin and Leia Griffiths proudly display their results

Success stories included Lucy Dekker, who hit the grades needed to become the school's first student to go to the Royal Veterinary College. 

Louise Lee, associate principal, said: "It is wonderful to celebrate our best ever A-level results. The students should be very proud of their efforts as they now take up their places at universities up and down the country."

Oasis Academy Coulsdon saw a 96 per cent pass rate and 39 per cent at A*-C.

Principal Andy Booth said: ""I would like to congratulate all our Sixth Form students on their outstanding achievement. 

"We are really pleased with our A level results and would like to thank staff and students who have worked so hard."

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Oasis Academy Coulsdon student Yashley Bissonauth, left, and James Juggho will both study law at university

Coulsdon College has celebrated the largest year-on-year improvement in A-level results in its 26-year history. 

Its 330 students achieved a 99 per cent pass rate with 73 per cent hitting grades A*-C. Last year 88 per cent students passed overall. 

Principal Brett Freeman said: "These much improved results put us way above the national average. 

"We have achieved this whilst maintaining high retention rates, which means that those who join us in the lower sixth stay with us, working hard to ensure they reach their full potential.  I am particularly proud of that.

John Ruskin College in Addington celebrated a 97.8 per cent pass rate with 62.8 per cent of students acheving the equivalent of A*-B grades in BTEC qualifications. 

Principal Tim Eyton-Jones said: "This has been another highly successful year for both students and the college.  

"The outstanding achievements of our students have proved once again that we are the most successful post-14 provider in the region."

Trinity School in Shirley Park achieved record-high 92 per cent A*-B grades and 99.5 per cent A*-C grades.

Among the success stories were twins Sophie and Ben Foreman, who achieved 2 A*s and 4 As between them. 

Sophie, who got 2A*s and 1 A, will go to the University of Warwick to study history. Her brother got 3 As to secure at place to study philosophy at University College London.

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Twins Sophie and Ben Foreman

Headteacher Mark Bishop said: "Congratulations to all our students who have worked very hard to achieve some excellent results.

“My thanks go to all the staff for their incredible commitment and support to help pupils achieve their best."

Independent girls' school Old Palace of John Whitgift achieved 95 per cent A*-C grades, 79 per cent B and above, 41 per cent A and above and 11 per cent A*.

Headteacher Carol Jewell said: "Many congratulations to our girls and to Old Palace staff on yet another set of strong public examination results.

"Particular congratulations to the number of outstanding individuals who have achieved at an extraordinary high standard with A and A* grades across the board.

"I am proud of their commitment to study throughout their years at Old Palace. We are confident that our students with lead distinguished university careers.”

Students at Warlingham School notched up a 99 per cent pass rate and 70 per cent A*-C grades.

A quartet of students achieved a clean sweep of A* grades, including two - Josh Du Plooy and Dariya Nikitin - who sat four full A-levels.

Both will go to study at Cambridge University, along with Hollie French.

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Overjoyed: Warlingham School student Lauren Weekes celebrates her results

Headteacher, Nick Bradwell paid tribute to his students' hard work and commitment, adding: "I am absolutely delighted with the outstanding results, and particularly pleased that our number of A* grades has increased and our percentage of A*-B grades has held up when the top grades nationally have fallen this year."

Croydon High School celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate at A-level, with 93.3 per cent of students achieving A*-C grades.

Head Debbie Leonard said: "It is particularly pleasing to see how individual girls have progressed during their time with us.

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Holly Artis, a student at Croydon High School, is heading to study medicine at St George’s

"They leave armed not only with impressive academic results on paper, but also with the benefit of a superb all-round education which has encouraged them to have high aspirations in all aspects of their lives.

"We are very proud of every single one of the girls and wish them continued success and happiness in the future.”

Receiving your results today? Email your pictures and stories to chris.baynes@london.newsquest.co.uk