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Freya, 18, tears open the crisp white envelope in her hands, writes Aisha Gani. She pauses. Then beams as she realises she has got the grades from her local Bristol sixth form to study English literature at Cardiff university.

Like many other teenagers around the country, the 42 A-level students at Abbeywood Community School in Bristol, Gloucestershire, have been waiting anxiously over the summer to learn their grades after two years of intense studying.

“I did really well,” said Freya, “I did better than I expected. I got ABB in geography, biology and English.”

Emily Morris, who achieved three Cs to secure her place at Portsmouth University to study Human Geography Photograph: Adrian Sherratt

In a small huddle of friends, Emily Morris, the outgoing headgirl of the school, scanned the slips of paper with her grades printed on. “I got straight Cs,” she said. “I knew I had got into university last night, but just found out my results.”

Morris will be going to Portsmouth to study human geography. “I’m looking forward to leaving home and starting something new. But it’s weird, it doesn’t feel like I’ve left school yet”, she said.

Ethan Dyke, 18, said he was very pleased and looking forward to “moving onto the next chapter” and is going on to study physical and sports education at nearby Hartpury College.

George Stephens, 18, got a distinction in business and is already working in retail but is now looking forward to getting an apprenticeship. “When I got the envelope in my hand I just wanted to get it open. I can relax now,” he said.