Hundreds of teenagers were scrambling for university places this morning after picking up their A-level results.

Schools have been celebrating some impressive performances along with individual success stories from Surrey’s high-flying students.

Epsom and Ewell High School, in Ruxley Lane, Epsom, had 30 per cent of exams taken awarded A and B grades, and achieved its highest ever UCAS points score per pupil.

Deputy headteacher Guy Blair said: “We are really pleased with our results, it’s a credit to the students.”

Sapana Thapa, 18, achieved an A* in maths despite only arriving to the school from her home country of Nepal three years ago speaking little English. She has won a place at Sheffield University to study biomedical science.

She said: “I’m happy but it was kind of unexpected, I didn’t think I would do that well but now I’ve seen the results it’s kind of unbelievable.”

Head of sixth form Jo Garrod said: “She has done exceptionally well, she has overcome language barriers and ended up getting a place at one of the top universities in the country.”

Howard of Effingham School, in Lower Road, Leatherhead, had a 99.1 per cent pass rate, with 23.7 per cent of all passes at grade A* or A.

Six students will study medicine at university, and four have been confirmed places at Oxford or Cambridge.

Outstanding students included Marcus Hughes-Hallett, who is a year younger than his classmates and got four A* grades and a distinction in the advanced extension award for maths.

He also previously got an A grade in French when he took an A-level aged just 15.

Deputy headteacher David Evans said: “It was not possible for him to achieve more than he did in the time available and we are very pleased with this exceptional performance.”

Therfield School, in Dilston Road, Leatherhead, had 9 per cent of exams taken awarded A* grades, while 17 per cent were A’s, 23 per cent were B’s and 21 per cent were C’s.

Top students included Michael Smith, who achieved four A* grades, Christopher Barker, who got three A* grades, and Hannah Cheney Lowe and George Moody, who both got three A* grades and an A.

Assistant headteacher Keith Batchelor said: “We are delighted with these results, especially the number of students who have achieved the new A* grades. There were outstanding grades across the entire year group, Michael Smith being the highest performer gaining four A* grades and has accepted a place at Cambridge University.

“Our students and staff have worked extremely hard to achieve these results and our students are now deservedly progressing on to higher education.”

All students at St Andrew's Catholic School, in Grange Road, Leatherhead, passed every exam they took, and more than 75 per cent got grades A* to C, with nearly 10 per cent of papers taken awarded A* grades.

Peter Mahoney achieved four A* grades and will go to Oxford University to study maths, and Sinan Ahmed got three A* grades and an A and will study biomedical science at Imperial College, London.

Executive headteacher Ani Magill said the results were due to students and teachers’ hard work and dedication, along with parents’ support.

She said: “The very pleasing overall performance at St Andrew’s means that our students will now be able to study a wide range of subjects at university or embark on their chosen careers.”

Surrey Hills Onward Learning, in High Street, Leatherhead, had five mature students who took maths A-level exams, with two achieving A* grades and one getting an A.

One student was too ill to sit two of his papers but still managed to pass.

Vice principle James Simister said: “We are delighted with the A-level results, and I think it’s a tribute to Jon Millar who is a very good maths teacher.”

St John’s School, in Epsom Road, Leatherhead, had a 100 per cent pass rate, with 73 per cent of results between A* and B, and 12 per cent were A* grades.

Jonathan Hunt achieved four A*s grades, and Andrew Middlemass and Konur Mustafa both got three A* grades and an A.

Headmaster Nicholas Haddock said: “I am delighted that our pupils continue to achieve excellent results at A-level. This is a result of hard work by both pupils and staff at St John’s.

“However, we must remember that their academic achievements are but one aspect of their development, above all, I am confident that these impressive boys and girls are prepared to engage with the many challenges that lie beyond school with confidence and lead fulfilled and rewarding lives.”