PUPILS across the Lowestoft and Southwold area received their A-level results yesterday - and Kirkley High School students exceeded expectations.With the school's overall A-level pass rate improving from last year, students were celebrating getting the grades they needed for their university places.

PUPILS across the Lowestoft and Southwold area received their A-level results yesterday - and Kirkley High School students exceeded expectations.

With the school's overall A-level pass rate improving from last year, students were celebrating getting the grades they needed for their university places.

Charlotte Tarr achieved two As and one B to confirm her place studying law at Pembroke College, Oxford, and Ben Atkins got the same grades to fulfil his hopes of studying physical education and sport at the University of East Anglia.

Other success stories include Lloyd Shand, who got one B and two Cs to get a place studying graphic design at Norwich School of Art, Jessica Reid who get one A, two Bs and one C for her drama course place at the University of Essex, Constance Coles, who got one A, two Cs and one D to study maths at Reading, and Jenny Mace, whose 2 Cs and one D secured her place studying biological sciences at the University of Plymouth.

Headteacher Richard Pickard said: 'I'm extremely proud of all our students, in particular Charlotte, who has gained an Oxbridge place. It is outstanding and we are tremendously pleased for her.'

He said that she is going to take a gap year before going to Oxford. He added: 'Our results are an improvement on last year and despite the proposed changes to schools in 2011, we remain focused on individual student achievement.'

Lowestoft College vice-principal Ros Pugh said: 'We are really pleased this year with our A-level results - 82pc of the students who undertook A-levels in either ICT or health and social care have passed, with 47pc gaining grade C or above. There is an overall 12pc improvement in pass rate from the previous year.

'We congratulate out students and staff for such an improvement. We are mainly a vocational college specialising in work-related training but also offer vocational programmes in higher education through University Campus Suffolk.

'Places are still available on our degree programmes so please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 854695 for further information and guidance if you have picked up you're A-level results today and are unsure what you want to do next. Our advice is free - do not forget your local college, we are here for you.'

There were also plenty of pleasing results at Denes High School, Lowestoft.

'We're pleased. They are very much in line with expectations and our year 13s who are going to university have got their places,' said headteacher Mick Lincoln.

Staff and pupils were also delighted at Benjamin Britten High School, Lowestoft.

Trevor Osborne, headteacher, said: 'I am delighted for all the pupils and their parents, this is just reward for two years of hard work and dedication. Points per candidate and per entry have improved on last year, showing a remarkable performance by staff and pupils.'

At Saint Felix School, near Southwold, it was another successful year for A-level students. 'This year's outstanding A-level results are richly deserved and they reflect the hard work of both students and staff. We are delighted with the school's excellent performance, with all students qualifying for their chosen universities,' said Fran D'Alcorn, deputy headteacher.