AMONG the mainly smiling faces of those collecting their A-Level results, one Wood Green School student was particularly happy.

Dan Tomlinson, of Witney, is the first in his family for two generations to have been accepted into university, let alone prestigious Oxford University.

The 18-year-old, who found out he had aced his A-Levels with three A* grades on Thursday, said: “I am shocked — I was predicted As, so I don’t believe it. When I found out I had A*s, I nearly fell off my chair.”

The last relation of Dan — who took A-Levels in maths, economics, and government and politics — to go to university was his great-great-uncle, who also made it to Oxford University.

He plans to study politics, philosophy, and economics.

In total, 57 per cent of students at the school achieved A* to B grades, and 84 per cent were A* to C.

Headteacher, Cynthia Savage, said: “These results are a fantastic testament to the commitment of the students, highly-dedicated staff, quality teaching and partnership with parents.”

Other success stories from the school, in Woodstock Road, was Lucy Johnson, 18, of Long Hanborough, who got A*s in maths and economics, and As in further maths and RS.

Lucy, who will study maths at Bristol University, said: “I can’t stop smiling, it’s brilliant.”

Megan Maisey, 18, of Witney, gained A*s in politics and history, and As in RE and English language and literature.

She said: “I expected to do well, but not this well.”

Rebecca Sithole, 18, of Witney, flew back from a holiday in South Africa the same morning to collect her A-Level results, which were an A in business studies, a B in psychology, and a C in accountancy.

Rebecca, who will study accountancy and finance at Bournemouth University, said: “I am pleased, as I thought I had done badly.

“I just arrived back at Heathrow at 6.55am, and all my way to the school I kept telling my sister to put on the news as I had heard that many people had not got into university.”

At Henry Box School, in Church Green, 48 per cent of students achieved A* to B grades, and almost 80 per cent got A* to Cs.

Deputy headteacher, David Bell, said: “Being the first year of the new A-Level results, we are really pleased with the results as this will be a starting point to compare year on year.”

Both Adele Curness, 18, and Adam Kellett, 18, came top of the class with three A*s.

Adele — who got the grades in history, English literature and drama — plans to take a gap year to turn her hand to acting.

Adele, of Witney, said: “My aim is to get into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, so I am taking a gap year to do a lot of shows.”

Adam, of Carterton, was awarded A* grades in history, maths and English literature, and will study English literature at UCL, in London.

He said: “I was really nervous and woke up quite early, as I couldn’t sleep. I looked online at UCAS, and saw that I had got in, but I was really shocked when I got three A*s.”

Charlotte O’Brien, of Aston, achieved an A* in PE, an A in biology and an A in Geography. She will study dance at London Studio Centre. The 18-year-old said: “I didn’t expect to do well. I was really nervous this morning.”

Elsewhere in West Oxfordshire, 60 per cent of students at Bartholomew School gained A* to Bs, while 49 per cent achieved this at Burford School and Community College.

Andrew Hamilton, Bartholomew School headteacher, said: “We have a mixed-ability intake to our sixth form, and these results reflect our commitment to support and develop student learning and progress at all levels.”

In Cokethorpe School, in Witney, 58 per cent got A* to B grades, while the Marlborough School, in Woodstock, achieved 43 per cent.

Marlborough headteacher Julie Fenn said: “Our year 13 students have achieved good A-Level results, and I would like to congratulate all of our pupils who have achieved their personal targets.”

Abigail Linton, from Bartholomew School, and Briony Richards, from The Marlborough School, achieved four A* grades.

A total of 45 per cent of students from Chipping Norton School achieved A*s to B grades.

Headteacher, Simon Duffy, said: “Those students who deserved to get the very top grades did so, those students who had to work equally as hard to achieve the lower grades also did themselves proud.”