The results are in from the seven schools of Epsom Guardian readers.

We spoke to pupils in Ewell, Leatherhead and Banstead. Here's how they did.

Cries of joy echoed from the battlements of Ewell Castle School as pupils discovered the results of having lain siege to their studies.

The historic independent school, in Church Street, Ewell, handed out the envelopes from its more modern sports hall block bright and early this morning (Thursday).

With more sixth form students than ever before the staff were delighted to see a rise in the A*-C pass rate up from 62 per cent in 2014 to 71.4 per cent this time.

Amongst the highest achievers were Oliver Higgs (two A* and two A’s), Tom Evans (two A* and one A) and Jack Hazell (one A* and two A’s).

While all three are worthy of special mention; Mr Hazell undoubtedly is taking the most interesting next step as he has been accepted onto a prestigious BA Honours course in model-making at Bournemouth Arts University.

The 18-year-old, of Park Lane, Sutton, got his grades for art, design technology (DT) and mathematics and said: “I’ve made models my whole life, it’s just always been something I’ve enjoyed doing ever since I created landscapes for my railway sets when I was a kid.”

As the grandson of a civil engineer, who worked on the National Grid and whose name he also shares, Mr Hazell would have no fears about using his degree to go into a career in engineering or architecture.

He added: “The course here at Ewell Castle was affiliated to (Lord) Foster and Partners, and it would be wonderful if one day I helped make the models for a skyscraper project as iconic as the Shard or Gherkin in London.

“I’ve got to say a massive ‘thank you’ to my teachers for helping get me this far, especially the DT block where I spent many happy school hours. In the last year it acquired a 3D printer which allowed me to create a new iPhone speaker.

“I’ll be celebrating these results with a trip to the gym, the pub and a club and can’t wait to be studying by the sea as I’m a massive surfing fan.”

Mr Evans meanwhile clinched his passes in mathematics, further mathematics, and physics and unsurprisingly will study mathematics at University of Warwick.

The 18-year-old of White Horse Drive, Epsom, was delighted with his achievements and said: “I’m good at maths and I enjoy doing it, I’m good at splitting the bill when eating out with friends! I’d be happy with a career as a mathematician but for now I’m just looking forward to celebrating with my family.”

Mr Higgs, who will stay local when he goes to study physics at University of Surrey, was unable to collect his results in person; however fellow student Sinthujon Morgan, 18, was desperate to share his good news.

Fresh from scooping two A’s and a B in mathematics, business and psychology respectively, the youngster from Overdale Avenue, New Malden, said he couldn’t wait to start a career in banking.

He said: “I’m going to do economics and finance at Queen Mary’s in London and would love to be a banker like my sister, Kiri, 26, who works for Royal Bank of Scotland.

“I’ve loved my time here, especially being a bowler for the first team in cricket.”

Anyone hoping he would follow in the footsteps of Ewell Castle alumnus Daniel Miller who has made one appearance for Surrey and is a fellow bowler, was disappointed when he chose his studies over his sporting prowess.

He added: “I still remember the conversation with the school coach when I had to explain I was dropping out the team to concentrate on my academic work.

“I know I made the right choice and can’t wait to celebrate with a two week trip to Cuba.”

Principal Peter Harris said congratulated all the students and added: “I am thrilled so many of our students have achieved the grades they need to move on to the next stage in their education. This reflects the hard work and dedication of the students and the contribution of a dedicated teaching staff.”

Your Local Guardian:
Greenacre head girl Francesca Morris is off to Oxford University

Upper sixth students at Greenacre School for Girls, in Sutton Lane, Banstead, had every reason to be thrilled with their A Level results.

Not only were half of all the grades scored at A*- B but also 93 per cent of them gained places at their first choice universities or colleges.

Once the goodbyes are said they will be moving on to a wide range of courses including history and English literature, geography, art and design, medical sciences, Third World development, accounting and finance, catering and even ballet education.

Whatever their chosen path the staff have hailed the girls for having worked with great application and determination as they have followed their individual courses of study.

Among the top achievers is head girl, Francesca Morris, who was amazed and delighted with her results.

She achieved A* grades in all four subjects – mathematics, further mathematics, physics and chemistry and is looking forward to taking up her place at St Hugh’s College, Oxford University in October to read Physics.

Four A* grades is a fantastic achievement by itself, but even more remarkable is she gained full marks in 10 of the 24 papers she sat this summer.

Asked how she managed such an overwhelming result she points to the mountains of past papers and examiners’ reports lining her parents’ garage which she used to practice and improve her technique.

Not only a talented scientist, she is also a keen musician and debater and is really keen to involve herself in all the opportunities Oxford University will offer.

Your Local Guardian:

Kirsty Hamilton at Blenheim High School, and Jack Stacey, Alfie Stockwell and Tim Hurrell also at Blenheim High School who are off to the Royal Academy of Live and Performing Arts, Exeter and Atkins to do an apprenticeship

The fact almost every student passed their exams with an A-E grade and the majority got the university place they had set their hearts on means 2015 is another good year for Blenheim High School.

Staff and pupils at the school, in Longmead Road, Epsom, were delighted with the additional bonus of a 78 per cent A*-C pass rate.

Among the successes are Kirsty Hamilton who achieved an A* and 2 A’s to get her place at Warwick to study English Literature, Hollie Simmons and Kunal Patel who have both gained 3 A’s, and Mike Scott and Ryan Humphries who both achieved an A*, A and B and have got their first choice university places.

There are apprentices in the ranks too as Tim Hurrell looks forward to starting an apprenticeship with Atkins, the global engineering firm. Meanwhile Jack Stacey has won a scholarship at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, no doubt aided by playing lead roles in the school’s professional theatre productions for the last seven years.

Headteacher Tracey Fantham, said: “We are delighted and very proud of all of our students who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to achieve their grades.

“The atmosphere here this morning has been incredible and seeing the students sharing their results with their teachers really does confirm the amazing relationships that have been forged and our ethos of working as a team.

“It is such a huge achievement for so many students to get their first choice university place before they’d even opened their results this morning and I’d like to say a huge well done to all the sixth form students and teachers.”

Three out of four students at The Beacon School have landed their first choice place at university after raising the standard of passes yet again.

Not only did the school, in Picquets Way, Banstead, see a 50 per cent increase in the number of A* and A grades but the number who achieved above what they were predicted also rose.

Naomi Albrecht, director of sixth form, said: “We are delighted that our students are achieving more top results this year and the very successful pathways to Higher Education.

“It has been exciting for us to see students secure places at universities such as Bristol, Southampton and Birmingham.  We are very proud of them all.”

Staff pride themselves on the support they provide pupils and are predicting even greater success in future. Mrs Albrecht added: “Due to our excellent pastoral care, student numbers are expected to go up again in September and we look forward to another strong year.”  

Reuel Mohammed achieved A’s in chemistry, mathematics and physics; Jordan Kent got B in biology, A  in chemistry, and A in mathematics; Katie Light scooped A in geography, another in physical education and a C in biology; and Alexander Ruthven-Murray earned a C in chemistry, A in geography, and A in history.

Graduates from Therfield School will be matriculating at both Oxford and Cambridge following another strong year of A Levels.

Julia Buckell, head of sixth form at the school in Dilston Road, Leatherhead, said: “We are delighted with our results which show a continued increase in the proportion of grades at both A*-C (76 per cent) and overall pass rate with more than 1 in 5 grades (being) A*-A.

“We would like to congratulate all our students whose hard work combined with outstanding support and teaching from dedicated staff has led to these results.”

Rory Kent has gained a place at Cambridge University to study Physics, while Rebecca Swanson, will go to Oxford University to study English Literature and Language.

Hannah James is going to Bristol University to study veterinary science.

Other exceptional performances include Jake Calverley (A*A*A*) who goes to Leeds University to study Chemical Engineering, Sarah Minns, Callum Smale and Dan Wright (A*A* A), Eve Patterson (AAA) and Alex Stanbridge and Harry Turner (A*AA).

The school sends best wishes to all the students no matter which university they will be attending.

Straight A’s and a few which reached the stars were the order of the day at St John’s School.

Nearly a quarter of pupils at the school, in Epsom Road, Leatherhead achieved a full set of A*/A grades and a third achieved at least one A* grade.

Amongst the most outstanding performances were James Barr and Ed Grove, who gained three A* grades each. They go to Cambridge to read modern and medieval languages and Bath to study mechanical engineering respectively. 

Samuel Holwell will be heading to Durham to read economics and Anna Semple a musical course at Cambridge after both were awarded two A* grades and two further A grades.

A further four pupils, Mackenzie Blair, Tom Fleming, Murray Hampshire and Jed Johnson gained an impressive two A* grades and one A grade and Tom King also gained two A* grades. Matt Chalmers, heads off to Durham to read history with an A* and three A grades under his belt.

Not only was the performance strong across the subject range generally, but at least 20% of candidates taking specifically art, chemistry, economics, French, mathematics, further mathematics, physics or psychology were awarded A* grades in those subjects. 

Headmaster Martin Collier commented: “We are very proud of the achievements of all our pupils and we wish them well as they move on to the next exciting stage of their lives.”