RESULTS for this summer's A-level exams in Bexley show significant improvements in the number of students passing the exams in the top three grades.

Schools, both selective and non-selective, can boast straight A students and impressive International Baccalaureat results.

Cambridge University's loss was Warwick's gain with Beths Grammar School student, Matt Pressland.

He achieved an outstanding six A grades in maths, further maths, computing, physics, business studies and general studies plus a merit in the maths Advanced Extension Award (AEA).

He came top of an impressive crop of results for the Hartford Road, Bexley Village, school.

These included Ryan Fitzgerald (five As in English literature, film studies, government and politics, history and general studies and distinction in AEA English); Sam Oliver-Welsh (five As in government and politics, law, maths, further maths and general studies); Mark Evans (four As in biology, chemistry, maths, physics, one B and merit in AEA chemistry); Alex Chilton (four As in biology, chemistry, maths and physics and distinction in AEA biology); Matt Ashenden (four As in biology, chemistry, computing and mathematics and a merit in AEA chemistry) and Jack Garman (four As in chemistry, geography, maths and physics).

Overall, the school achieved a 92.5 per cent pass rate, with 148 students taking 448 exams.

Headteacher James Skinner said he was extremely proud of all the students' results and the hard work they had put in to achieve such excellent grades.

Students at Bexleyheath School in Woolwich Road, Bexleyheath, achieved their best ever results, with 65 students achieving a 96 per cent pass rate in their 173 exams.

Top achievers were Gurmik Brainch (two As in product design and information and communication technology (ICT) and a B in business); Ilknur Dereli (A in Turkish, B in chemistry and two Cs in maths and biology); Thomas Dray (two As in history and politics and a C in English); Harry Nee (A in English and two Bs in geography and history); Martin Porritt (A in film studies and two Bs in English and politics) and David Tovey (A in media studies, B in film studies and C in geography).

Malcolm Noble, headteacher, expressed his pride in the sixth formers' achievements and the work thye and their teachers had put in.

It was complete success at Bexley Grammar School in Danson Lane, Welling, with a 100 per cent pass rate, for its 197 A level students who between them took 615 exams.

Fifty-five per cent of the passes were at A or B grades and 37 students achieved at least three A grades.

Fifteen of the 16 Baccalaureate students were rewarded with the equivalent three A grade A Levels and the number taking the diploma is likely to expand to 60 next year.

Headteacher Rod MacKinnon described the results as "excellent" and said it was wonderful to see the students' hard work rewarded.

St Luke's Catholic Sixth Form College has lived through difficult times since its opening in 2004, but its latest crop of A-level results show it is bouncing back.

Altogether, 101 students took 213 exams and the pass rate was 96.2 per cent.

Three students achieved three straight As.

They were Liam Brennan (classical civilisation, politics and history); Martin Meehan (double award in art and media studies) and Sophie Mendez (English, history and politics).

College principal Jim Flannery said the results built on the the improvements the college has already made, which were noted in the college's latest Ofsted report, and they also showed its capacity to make further strides.

Townley Grammar School in Townley Road, Bexleyheath, was another with a 100 per cent pass rate, with 164 students sitting 511 exams.

Top achiever was Veronilca Kantorovich with four As and one B, but she was closely followed by a clutch of 13 girls each with four As.

They were Grace Ayre, Alice Bardrick, Marie Cannon, Halcant Garcha, Krissie Glover, Heather Goring, Nicola Johnson, Alex Millar, Keya Vithanis, Oluwadamilola Bamigbade, Arnika Paranjape, Charlotte Clarke and Emily Hannick, with 19 more achieving three As and 31 pupils with at least two As.

Headteacher Linda Hutchinson was particularly proud of the 71 per cent pass rate at A or B grade and congratulated students and staff.

She said: "Students should all be proud of their achievements," and praised the commitment of the teachers.

Significantly more students at Blackfen School for Girls in Blackfen Road, Blackfen, took A-level exams this year and the pass rate was 94 per cent.

Outstanding students included Ceri Alabi (three As, one B); Thomas Barnes (one A, three Bs); Rokshana Ulla (one A, two Bs); Chloe Seales (one A, two Bs); Claire Burnage (one A, two Bs) and Charlotte Barker (three Bs).

Matthew Brown, headteacher, said the results were a testament to the hard work of students and staff.

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, in Hurst Road, Sidcup, just missed a clean sweep, with a 99.8 per cent pass rate.

Altogether 191 students sat 578 exams between them.

Students Joe Regan and Tajinder Lidhar each achieved four A grades with 18 others close behind, with three As.

Headteacher Dr Jo Vitagliano said the results were a considerable improvement on last year and reflected the strong partnership between students, staff and parents.

He added: "I am pleased for all of those involved in this success."

Erith School in Avenue Road, Erith, is anticipating a bumper crop of university offers after its results were published.

The overall pass rate was 96 per cent with 52 per cent gaining the top three grades.

Top students were Alexander Anderson (three As in chemistry, physics and maths); Daisy Childe (two As in history and law and B in English literature); Harry Williams (two As in English literature and film studies and B in history) and John Hockley (A in psychology and two Bs in history and biology).

Staff and governors said they were "tickled pink by the students' magnificent achievements."

David French, chairman of governors, added that the results were "further evidence of the hard work and dedication of both students and staff."

Premilimray calculations show that over all passes in the top A to C grades in Bexley rose from 69.2 per cent last year to 73 per cent this year.

And the overall pass rate rose marginally from 97.6 per cent to 98 per cent.

Bexley Council's cabinet member for schools, Councillor Simon Windle, said he was very pleased to see the significant increase in higher grade passes, while at the same time maintaining the overall pass rate.

He added: "Such an accolade is firstly due to our schools ensuring that pupils start appropriate subjects, and to the hard work of all involved thereafter.

"I wish all those with A-level passes my warmest congratulations and best wishes for whatever future plans they have."