PUPILS at The Lakes School have been left celebrating after another successful year of A Level passes.

Headteacher Andy Cunningham praised this year's students, saying: "We are really pleased that they are heading off to their university destinations.

"That is a really strong feature of year on year here at the sixth form that all the students go through year 13 and sometimes year 14 head off to university or higher study or apprenticeships and I am really pleased to say we have continued that tradition with the 2018 students.

"I met this year group in 2014 when I first arrived at the school and the more you spend time with a group of students the more you get attached to them and you want to support them."

Among the cohort was a teenager with a passion for all things equine will be heading to college to pursue her dreams.

Rosie Garner, 18, is set to attend Newton College to study Equine Management.

She said: "I absolutely love horses and I always have done. I always knew I wanted to do something with animals at least and horses if I could help it."

The Ambleside resident gained a C in Media Studies, a D in Art and Design, a C in English Literature and an E in Music.

Alongside Rosie, a Geography enthusiast was "over the moon" with his results.

Isaac McKenna will be going to the University of Chester to study Geography and Natural Hazard Management after earning an A in Geography, a C in English Language and a Distinction* in Business.

He said: "I feel amazing. I can't believe it. I have loved it here.

"The teachers, the atmosphere here, I've felt at home here, I've always felt welcome."

Fellow student Kim Aughpin is looking forward to a "new experience" in the city in September.

She secured an A* in her Extended Project Qualification in stem cell therapy, Bs in biology and media and a D in chemistry.

Her plan is to head to the University of Liverpool to study Biomedical Science.

She said: "The jump from GCSE to A Level was really big and we weren't expecting it, but in getting two B's, I am quite happy."

A future pharmacy student is also looking forward to moving on as she prepares to take on a degree in Manchester.

Annabelle Critchley, 18, achieved an A in Biology, a B in Maths and a C in Chemistry.

Having started at The Lakes School in year nine, she is now set to go to the University of Manchester to study Pharmacy.

She said: "I feel really good. The past two years have been really good, definitely stressful but I am glad I have done them.

"I really like the course when you read about it online, about the structure and I just thought it was really interesting.

"It's quite close to home for me and it doesn't take that long to get back which is quite important."

A musical theatre lover who has spent years treading the boards is hoping to pursue her love for the stage at a London conservatoire.

Sapphire Kieft was waiting to hear if she had been accepted to the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance to study Musical Theatre.

She received C's in English Literature, Drama and Music after two years of "a lot of hard work".

She said: "I have done drama since I was eight and local amateur dramatics.

"I was in lots of pantomimes when I was little and then at school in Miss Saigon and Velma Kelly in the school production of Chicago.

She has also completed her grade eight in musical theatre, which she received 96 per cent for.

She said: "I like the way it brings people together, and it is lovely and art.

"I like the competitiveness of it and I like performance."