Looks of relief and joy at colleges in West Sussex today made it clear

students did not think modern exams were getting easier.

Schools and colleges across the county celebrated another record-breaking year with many headteachers reporting their best-ever pass rates.

Nationally, 95.4 per cent of students gained at least one A to E grade.

However, some employers have branded A-levels meaningless as the row over whether the exams have become too easy flared again.

The Government and teacher unions have rejected the claims.

Sussex headteachers, meanwhile, united in defence of the results, saying the pass rates were down to hard work by students and staff.

Some heads, however, have warned pupils were opting for so-called "soft" subjects, including media studies, instead of maths and physics because they had more chance of getting into university that way.

A Littlehampton Community School spokeswoman said: "This year 64 per cent of students gained the top three grades, that was a four per cent improvement on last year's results.

"The overall pass rate remained high at just over 93 per cent."

Jason Walsh, 18, of Oakcroft Gardens, Littlehampton, gained grade As in biology and PE and grade Bs in chemistry, traditionally considered tough subjects, and English language.

Jason said: "This means I will be able to study biology at Sheffield University.

"I was a bit nervous about the chemistry but I'm over the moon that I got the B I needed.

"I have not been too nervous over the past few days and have tried to shut out of my mind all the media hype surrounding the results.

"I'm not sure how I'm going to celebrate these results. I'm going off to phone my dad and will then probably think about having a party."

Staff at the school dismissed allegations that there were any soft A-levels and this year's students agreed.

Edward O'Brien, 18, of Southfield Road, Littlehampton, achieved two Bs, a C and a D and is hoping it is enough to study law at Sussex University.

He said: "I don't think any A-levels are easier but you tend to think that subjects like maths and physics are difficult."

Students at Lancing College were celebrating the school's best-ever results.

They achieved a significant gain in the number of A and B grades over previous years.

The overall pass rate was 99.3 per cent and the number of results graded A or B was 72 per cent a nine per cent rise on last year.

A total of 19 students in the year gained straight A grades.

They included Ian Godsmark from Worthing, James Howard from Storrington, Jonathan Nelmes from Shoreham and Alex Wilson from Angmering.

Headteacher Peter Tinniswood was delighted with the results.

He said: "This is a fitting set of results for an outstanding group of boys and girls.

"They have enjoyed their time at school and have clearly struck the right balance between work and their many other activities. They will now be able to go on to their first choice of university."

Students at Worthing College worked hard to get a 96.5 per cent pass rate at A-level, an increase of 2 per cent from last year's results. Students taking the double-award vocational A-levels also performed well, with a pass rate of 91 per cent.

A number of students achieved exceptional sets of results, with 22 obtaining three or four A grades and one student achieving 5.

College principal John Robinson said: "Today is a day for the celebration of achievements by individual students who have invested energy, ambition and commitment into their studies.

"It is wonderful to see the satisfaction obtained as a result of hard work and talent. Each year we look forward to hearing of the challenges and destinations of our college leavers as they move on to the next stage of their lives."

Chichester College students achieved a 93 per cent pass rate .

Spokesman Vicki Illigworth said: "We are really pleased with the results. It is two per cent up on last year's figures.

"There have been some exceptional results with some students getting three A grades."

Mike Chandler, head of sixth form at Boundstone Community College, Lancing, was delighted with his students' 96 per cent pass rate, a slight improvement on last year.

He said: "For the college as a whole, it is a tremendous boost."

Boundstone student James Lieu, 18, achieved A grades in maths, physics, music and general studies, having already got an A grade in AS biology in his lower-sixth year.

Mr Chandler said: "James is now going to the University of Warwick to take physics, where we are very confident he will do equally well.

"Many other students have scored combinations of A, B and C grades, securing university places. We are very proud of them."