Smiles and celebrations swept the corridors of north Norfolk's high schools this morning as delighted students collected their A-level results.

North Norfolk News: A teenage girl opening her A-level results in North Walsham.A teenage girl opening her A-level results in North Walsham. (Image: Archant)

Pupils rushed to Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham, Gresham's in Holt and Sheringham High School to collect the coveted envelopes then share their happy news with friends and family.

Results at Paston and Gresham's rose this year, and while there was a slight dip in the pass rate of A* - C grades at Sheringham - from 77pc to 74pc - the A* - A and A*- B rates increased by 4pc.

Adam Cooke, head of sixth form, said maths and science results had been particularly strong, which he was pleased about as it had been an area the school had focused on. 'What's so great about this sixth form is it's fully inclusive,' he added. 'We've got students getting three A*s, students who want to do BTECs or those that just want to get AS (levels) and go onto work.

'The provision across the board is excellent and improving.'

Among the high achievers was Hope Worsdale, who got A*s in French, maths and further maths, and James Mitchell, who took home A*s in history and maths and an A in religious studies.

Hope, 18, is going to Warwick to study maths while James, 18, is going to Cambridge to read law.

He said: 'I'm really excited. I got my university acceptance this morning so my family know. They're very pleased.'

Paston saw an increase in results this year, with the number of pupils gaining an A*-C rising from 73pc to 74pc.

Principal Kevin Grieve said: 'These outstanding results reflect our encouragement of students to work hard, have high aspirations and develop the skills to be extremely successful.

'Universities throughout the country will be receiving talented young graduates from Norfolk this autumn as a result.'

Among the high achievers was Luke Bibby 18, from Coltishall, who will be studying medicine at Cambridge, after achieving A*s in biology, chemistry and further maths and an A in physics.

Gresham's saw an increase in pupils' A* - C pass rate, rising from 84.6pc to 89.6pc, and their A* - E pass rate, going from 99.6pc to 100pc.

Deputy headteacher Simon Kinder said the school was 'thrilled' with the results.

'Most of our students have got into their first choice and we're particularly pleased about this because we think it's showing we're thriving with the International Baccalaureate and A-levels,' he added.