EXCITEMENT filled the air at Millom School as students gathered to receive their A Level results.

Staff and students at the sixth form are celebrating their hard work as they enjoy another great set of marks this year.

The school, in Salthouse Road, saw a "significant improvement" on last year's results and welcomed a pass rate of 81 per cent (A* to E grades) and 18 per cent for A* to B.

Many of the students are now preparing to start a new chapter in their lives as they leave Millom to continue their studies elsewhere.

Antonia Raven, of Holborn Hill, is preparing to leave behind her seven siblings and begin her new life at Cardiff University after receiving two Bs and a D.

She said: “I’m ecstatic because I got into my dream university. The geography course is amazing and it’s a great city as well.

“I will miss my family but I can’t wait to get some independence.”

As a keen traveller, the 19-year-old is excited to finally spread her wings and is hoping her course will take her as far as Australia and New Zealand.

Another student is also hoping to travel but will be staying a little closer to home in the coming months.

READ MORE: Full list of Millom Sixth Form results here

Amy Rice, 18, of Grammerscroft, said: “I’m going to stay in Millom and work and then I’m hoping to go to Europe to teach English.

“I don’t want to rush into anything. I just want to figure out what I want to do.”

Another student, Ross Bickerdike, will also be staying in the North West to pursue his dream of becoming a professional actor.

Having been accepted onto a media and performance course at Salford University, Mr Bickerdike is hoping to make a break into the world of television.

However, star pupil Carla Teeley, of Lowther Road in Millom, wowed classmates with her two As and two Bs.

The 18-year-old is now continuing her education by reading environmental science at Lancaster University.

She said: “I’m pleased. I’ve always liked science, especially biology and chemistry. It was a lot of work but it’s definitely been worth it.”

Gary Hartley, director of learning and standards for the sixth form, is delighted that the school can continue to help young people in Millom.

He said: "It's great to have a sixth form in a small town like Millom.

"If there wasn't a sixth form at the school, all the young people in Millom would have to go to Barrow or Ulverston - they wouldn't have a choice."

Matt Savidge, headteacher of Millom School, was thrilled by this year's results.

He said: "We are delighted with this year's A Level results and we are very proud of the individual achievements and collective success of our students.

"A Levels are the culmination of seven years study at Millom School and provide students with the opportunity to go to university or onto an apprenticeship.

"We hope that students draw confidence from their success as they move on to a new phase in their lives and I offer congratulations to them all."

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