PROUD students from USP college were "ecstatic" and "over the moon" after collecting their A level results today.

Hundreds of students from the college, which has a campus in Benfleet and in Grays, are celebrating passing their A Levels, with almost 400 high grades achieved this year.

English and further maths were among the 18 A-Level courses that achieved a 100 per cent pass rate at the college.

Daniel Ashenden, from Benfleet, who studied at the college's Seevic campus in Benfleet, achieved an A* in maths, an A in sociology, an A in further maths, and an A in English combined.

The seventeen-year-old has secured a place at the University of Birmingham to study maths.

He said: "All my teachers have been constantly reassuring me despite my negativity.

"I want to be a teacher so the teachers at the college have prepared me to study maths and secure a good career."

Sam Wildish, from Stanford-Le-Hope, who studied at the Grays campus, achieved grades of BBB in business, media, and film; a distinction in law.

The nineteen-year-old will study marketing at Durham university from September, which includes a year studying abroad.

He said: "My favourite memory from college is probably going to be this day!

"I’m over the moon and so excited to start the next step in my life.

“My teachers have been so supportive, putting in extra time and effort to help me achieve success.

"I’ve really enjoyed the new experiences and opportunities at college, and have gained real life skills here."

Dan Pearson, principal at USP, spoke of how delighted himself and the staff are at the students results: "I’m thrilled to see so many students getting the grades for their next steps and have really enjoyed hearing about their future plans."