There were smiles across north Norfolk as teenagers picked up their A-level results today and found out if all their hard work had paid off and what their next steps would be.

There were smiles across north Norfolk as teenagers picked up their A-level results and found out if all their hard work had paid off and what their next steps would be.

Charlotte Dutton, 18, and Lauren Carrington, 18 from Sheringham, picked up their results from Sheringham High School and Sixth Form College with happy faces.

Charlotte achieved a distinction in her BTEC in Sports, a B for A-level psychology and C in A-level biology. She will now go on to study dance at the University of East London.

Speaking about her prospects for the future she said: 'I think things do look good, hopefully there will be lots of things I can do, from teaching dance in schools, to opening my own dance school.'

Lauren, who achieved a B in A-level history, an A in A-level Religious Education, an A in AS-level English and the new A* grade for A-level psychology, will go on to study history at Liverpool University.

There were plenty of others who had exceeded expectations at the school.

Head Tim Roderick, said: 'Another excellent set of results. Following on from our first student getting into Oxford University two years ago we now have our first student, Adam Brayne, achieving a place at Cambridge University where he will read medicine at Pembroke College. Congratulations go to Adam and his teachers.'

At Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham there were also celebrations.

Students on BTEC National Diploma courses - equivalent to three A levels - achieved a 98pc pass rate with 75pc achieving distinctions and merits.

Peter Mayne, principal, said: 'Paston's 2010 results are our best ever results. They are genuinely outstanding.

'Paston students have once again performed better than the national averages for schools and colleges.

'With such results Paston students have once again performed better than the national averages for schools and colleges.'

At Gresham's School in Holt, 47pc of students attained the coveted A*- A grades.

A number of students also achieved outstanding results, including Ross Elsby with four A* grades, who will study engineering at Cambridge.

Head Philip John said: 'I am very pleased with the results. The students achieved well, or in many cases exceeded, their potential as measured throughout their school careers. They have worked hard and I wish them all well as they leave us for pastures new.'

Results:

PASTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

A-level pass rate A*-C 73pc (75pc)

AS-level pass rate A - C 65pc (56pc)

A-level pass rate A* - E - 98.8pc (98.4pc)

AS-level pass rate A -E 95pc (88pc)

SHERINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL

A-level pass rate A*-C 79pc (76pc)

AS-level pass rate A-C 62pc (68pc)

A-level pass rate A*- E 100pc (100pc)

AS-level A-E 92pc (94pc)

GRESHAM SCHOOL HOLT

A-level pass rate A*-C: 92 pc (90.4pc)

AS-level pass rate A-C: unavailable (84.3pc)

A-level pass rate A*-E: 99.2pc (99.6pc)

AS-level pass rate A-E: unavailable (98.5pc)