STUDENTS across Croydon will find out their A-level and AS-level results this morning, with record numbers of university places on offer.
Early results show improvement at a number of the borough's schools and sixth form colleges.
Croydon College is celebrating some of its best ever results, with seven subjects hitting the 100 per cent pass rate mark.
The college, which received an improved Ofsted rating in June, achieved an overall pass rate of 93 per cent, an improvement on last year.
A spokesman said the college had done well in both "traditional" subjects, such as English literature, chemistry, history, further maths and biology, as well as more "modern" subjects such as media studies, sociology and politics.
Principal Frances Wadsworth said: "These results underline and endorse Ofsted's recent judgement that success rates have improved dramatically and confirm that our results are continuing to soar upwards.
"I'm proud of the work that students have undertaken, with support from committed staff, to ensure the best possible outcomes and futures for our students.
"We're determined to make Croydon College the best college in London, so making a substantial difference to our community."
Coulsdon Sixth Form College also posted high pass rates, with nearly all A-level subjects achieving 100 per cent A* to E grades.
Principal Brett Freeman said he was "absolutely delighted" with the "unprecedented" success.
"I have nothing but praise for our staff and students in all their efforts," he added.
Thomas More Catholic School, in Purley, was among those to post perfect pass rates at A-level and BTEC Level 3, up from 97 per cent in 2013. The school said the results had enabled two thirds of pupils to go to the university of their choice.
Success stories included Andriana Omelyanovska, who did not speak English when she moved to England from Ukraine seven years ago, but emerged as one of Thomas More's top performers, with five A levels including an A in Russian.
Joyce Cowan, Daniel Mehretab and Cynthia Okpuru also achieved five passes, with Victor Gandra and Mahnoor Iqbal both with four passes, all at A*, A and B grades.
Head teacher Margaret Mulchrone said students had "set their minds to succeed" and had "reaped the rewards" of the school's "outstanding" teachers.
This year was only the second set of A Level results for Oasis Academy Shirley Park, which achieved a 98 per cent pass rate and its highest percentage of A* to B grades.
Student Lucy Dekker's results secured her a place at the Royal Vetinary College, the first student from the academy to do so. Taylor Collcut's A* in photography means she has been accepted into Falmouth to study photography.
Associate principal Louise Lee said: "The students should be very proud of their efforts as they now take up their places at universities up and down the country."
A record number of university places are available across the country - 30,000 more than last year - and it is expected that over 500,000 places will be allocated for courses starting in the autumn.
Almost half of all grades achieved by students at Riddlesdown Collegiate, in Purley, were A*, A or Bs, an increase of almost five per cent on 2013. Three quarters were C or higher and the school's overall pass result was 98 per cent.
Maths was Riddlesdown's most successful subject, with 71 per cent of pupils reaching a A* to B grade.
Gordon Smith, the college's principal, said: "At a time when there is turbulence in A Level grades locally and nationally, and we are told to expect a fall in standards, the students and staff here at Riddlesdown have produced a magnificent set of results."
John Ruskin College, in Selsdon, posted an overall pass rate of 97.8 per cent in their BTECs and 62.6 per cent achieving high grades (the equivalent of A* to B across three A levels).
The first sixth formers at The Quest Academy, in Selsdon, achieved a 98 per cent pass rate at A levels. Nearly half got A* to C grades and 35 per cent of those got A* to B.
Head girl Rene Andersen achieved A*, A and C in religious education, sociology and English literature and will study sociology and philosophy at the University of Essex. Shannon Pace will leave Quest with A*, A and C, Robyn Clarke achieved A, B and B and Rebecca Hope got A, A and B.
Principal Andy Crofts said pupils had achieved highly, "sometimes against challenging odds".
He added: "They are Quest's first sixth formers and have done us all proud."
Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School, in Upper Norwood, had several exam success stories.
Maria Christy Joshy joined in Year 12 from Kerala, India, and, despite having to learn a new language, has managed to achieve an A* for maths and A grades for further maths, chemistry and physics and an AS in biology.
Speaking from India today, Maria Christy told head teacher Sister Bernadette: "I feel really happy with such amazing results."
Student Sarah Reynolds spent the last year in and out of hospital with a debilitating illness. She was sent all her work via email and extra tuition was arranged during the times she was back at home. She managed to achieve an A in CACHE (Care, health and education).
There were scenes of cheering outside Trinity School as sixth formers celebrated their combined efforts which have seen the private school post its best ever results, with 91.9 per cent A* to B grades.
Head master Mark Bishop praised the pupils for their hard work, adding: "My thanks go to all the staff for their incredible commitment and support to help pupils achieve their best."
Grace Sinden achieved thee As and will study French literature and English literature at King's College London. Twins Sophie and Ben Foreman achieved two A*s and 4 As between them. Sophie (2A*s and 1 A) is off to Warwick to study history and Ben (3 As) is to study philosophy at University College London.
Woodcote High School posted an overall pass rate of 99 per cent, with 90 per cent of students gaining their first choice of university.
Pupil Jake Mulley had particular reason to be pleased, the school said. He left Woodcote after Year 11 and went to a larger sixth form but returned after disappointing AS level results. He was told today that he had achieved an A and two Bs. He is off to Brighton to study physiotherapy.
Andy Booth, principal of Oasis Academy Coulsdon, said the school had achieved an overall pass rate of 96 per cent, with 39 per cent of students leaving with A* to B grades.
Languages, drama & theatre studies and BTEC science were three of the academy's strongest performances.
Head boy Daniel Borer did particularly well in his BTEC extended diploma in science, achieving three distinctions, securing him a place at Reading University to study food science and business. His goal is to work in research and development for Mars.
Yashley Bissonauth, 19, from South Croydon, attained BBC grades in business, geography and maths and is going to study law at Brunel University.
As expected, Old Palace of John Whitgift School, an independent girls' school, posted impressive results, with 95 per cent of students achieving A* to C grades, and 82 per cent securing their first choice of university.
St Mary's Catholic High School, which is bidding farewell to head teacher Ejiro Ughwujabo, who is retiring, saw a 95 per cent pass rate.
Archbishop Tenison's celebrated a 98 per cent pass rate, with particular success in art, English literature, geography, politics, German, further maths, and drama.
Head teacher Richard Parrish said: "At a time when A levels are getting harder our results show a modest improvement. I am so impressed by those who gained a whole string of high grades. It is difficult for people to understand how much dedication that requires these days."
Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls, in Thornton Heath, achieved a record breaking year, with a pass rate to 99.5 per cent. Some 34 per cent of grades awarded were at the highest A* to B grades.
Head teacher Amanda Compton said: "All students who wanted to go to university obtained a place. This is a fantastic outcome reflecting the hard work and commitment made by both staff and students."
The BRIT School hailed a "exceptional" day for its vocational students, with 68 per cent achieving three D* (distinctions). The school's A-level pass rate was 100 per cent A* to E, with 79 per cent achieving A* to C grades.
The school singled out student Taylor Anderson for particular praise for her three D* in her dance diploma as well as an A in A-level dance, an A in English literature and a B in history. Taylor said: "I am so proud of these results. I have worked hard, been supported by my parents and teachers and had the time of my life."
Crystal Brown gained three D* in her BTEC level 3 extended diploma in theatre, gaining a place at the prestigious acting school in New York, but deciding to take up another place at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
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