A BURNHAM secondary school celebrated some of its best results ever on this year's A Level Results Day.

Ormiston Rivers Academy in Southminster Road, Burnham saw a host of students achieve the top grades, who are now set to enter into a diverse range of career paths and degrees including Optometry and Agriculture, as well as seeing its first ever medicine student.

The results mark the end of long-standing Principal, Joan Costello's time at the helm of the school, who is now set to retire.

The school will now be led by the highly experienced Emma Baker, from September.

Speaking for the last time before her departure, Ms Costello said: “I am absolutely delighted with the continued progress and achievements of our sixth form and would like to congratulate all of our students on their well-deserved examination results.

"We wish them every success and happiness in their next endeavours, whatever they may be.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Principal of Ormiston Rivers Academy for over a decade, and these excellent results are fitting for my final summer in the role.”

Among the highest performing students was Amy Cooper, 18, who received three As and an A* in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Her exceptional grades were more than enough to guarantee her place at Cardiff University, where she will study Optometry.

There was relief for another student, Emily Symons from Althorne who already knew she was guaranteed he spot at Aberystwyth University, where she will study Agriculture.

The 18-year-old will enter the Welsh university with a C in Biology, Distinction* in Sport, a Merit in Food, Science and Nutrition, and As in Core Maths and EPQ.

After opening her results, Emily said: "This whole process has been stressful, definitely, but it has been really good fun and it is so nice, especially in this Sixth Form that everyone is so supportive of you.

"You never really feel like you're getting too riled up as there are people there to keep you calm.

"I was very happy with my results in the end, it could have been a little better, but it definitely could have been worse."

In this year's results, Ormiston Rivers achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in almost all of its subjects, as well as extremely strong results in its vocational subjects, including Performing Arts, Health & Social Care and Engineering, as well as the Extended Project.

Nick Hudson, CEO of the Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “I would like to congratulate the students, staff and the whole school community at Ormiston Rivers Academy on these great results, which are testament to the hard work and determination of students, supported by their teachers and parents.

"As a trust, it is our absolute priority to ensure that every student has the opportunity to fulfil their potential and the skills to succeed whether going on to study at a leading university or entering the world of work. We look forward to working with the academy to build on these achievements.”