HARD-WORKING pupils are celebrating after a record-breaking percentage of the year were accepted into their first choice of universities.

Year 13 students from Ulverston Victoria High School collected their long-anticipated A-Level results today after a year of uncertainty and changes to the way in which this cohort has completed its post-16 studies.

An impressive 83 per cent of Year 13 students hoping to go to university have been accepted into their first-choice university with most others either accepted into their second choice or considering alternative offers.

A significant number of students have also qualified to take up highly sought-after degree apprenticeships with, national and local organisations.

Some of the highlights of this year’s cohort are: Martha Rand who achieved three A*s and an A and will be studying engineering at Cambridge University. Fellow student Reece Travis also achieved three A*s in biology, chemistry and law and is heading to Kings College London to study medicine.

He said: "I'm very happy. It couldn't really have gone any better. Trying to stay focussed over lockdown was really difficult. I'm excited to be going to London - I've been wanting to do medicine for ages so can't wait."

Hattie Lee also achieved three A*s in her A-Level results and is taking a gap year.

She said: "I'm taking a gap year because I changed my mind about my future just before exams so will now apply to Cambridge for next year. I'm really proud of my results."

Carina Davies achieved two A*s and an A and will be heading to Durham University to study chemistry.

She said: "She said: "I'm very happy I got into my first university choice. It was hard to stay motivated in the past year with lockdown put I'm proud and can finally relax for a few months."

Harry O’Donovan also achieved two A*s in Art and Spanish and an A in Music and is heading to UCL to study Spanish with Latin American in 2022.

He said: "I'm really pleased - the last two years have been interesting but these results feel a bit more rewarding considering what's happened. I'm taking a year out - hopefully travel to Central America and learn to surf"

Other high achievers include Katie Cullen who received three A*s and will be heading to Edinburgh University to study Psychology, Merryn Stangroom who achieved three A*s and will be studying medicine at Newcastle University, Imogen Sutcliffe who received three A*s and is taking a gap year, Ronnie Wetherow who received two A*s and two As and is heading to Durham University to study music, Lauren Tucker achieved two A*s and an A and is going to Cambridge University to study medicine, Ronnie Wetherow is heading to Durham to read music after achieving two A*s and two As, Sam McSherry received two A*s and an A and will be heading to Loughborough University to study physics and Vicky Longstaffe and Oliver Rushton who both achieved two A*s and an A and will be heading to Leeds University and Edinburgh University respectively.