PUPILS are rejoicing after securing top results after two “really hard” years.

Erin Milton, 18, from Burnham, got an A in English and history and B in sociology as well as an A in her Extended Project.

The Ormiston Rivers Academy pupils will be going to the University of Kent to study English and American Literature.

She said: “I still don’t quite believe it and it might sink in in a couple of days.

“A lot of time went into this.

“These two years have been really, really, really hard.

“I thought the first year was hard but then you get into Year 13 and you have the pressure of choosing what university you want to go to, coursework you have to do – it all hits you at once.”

Erin said she was off to the pub after her success.

She added: “A Levels are a balancing act because you’re pressuring yourself to try and do well at your work.

“There’s so many things that you’re trying to keep up and do well.

“I’m still tired from all those months ago.

“I’ll probably spend most of the day at the pub.

“Bring on uni.”

Fellow Orimston Rivers student Thomas Damps, 18, secured a Distinction in performing arts, a B in creative writing and a B in law.

Thomas, from Burnham, has a visual impairment and is on the autistic spectrum but didn’t let it get in the way of him claiming top marks.

He will be staying on an extra year at the school to gain more qualifications alongside work experience.

Mr Damps said: “The distinction I’m absolutely amazed with.

“To come out with a distinction after redoing the exams is great.

“I’m staying on and doing an extra A Level in English literature.

“I wanted to take a year off before university, so I thought I might as well do something productive with it.

“After that, possibly looking into university next year with something ideally in performing arts.”

Thomas admitted the results had not been without a bit of hard work.

“It takes a lot of work,” he added.

“You’re in every day and you’re balancing three or four different subjects with the same workload.

“It’s worth it when you get good results in the end.

“The autism I’ve coped with really well, I’ve managed to have an outlet by doing things like performing arts and learning about law.

“I hope it hasn’t had an effect on me.

“I was lucky enough to have it diagnosed at an early age so I’ve had time to cope with it and learn ways around it.

“It’s only an issue on paper.”

John Player, assistant principal at Ormiston and former head of sixth form said he was incredibly proud of his pupils and their results.

He said: “It’s amazing, you see two years of work and even seven years of work go into this one moment.

“It’s really nice to see all the delighted faces.”