Students across Sussex were this morning celebrating highest-ever A-level pass rates - for the 19th year running.

There were scenes of celebration across the region as many schools clocked up an incredible 100 per cent passes.

The annual debate on dumbing down was the last thing on the minds of these jubilant students. They and their teachers know the amazing results come from months of hard work which has paid off in spectacular style.

At Burgess Hill School for Girls all 42 candidates in the upper sixth passed every exam.

Of those, 34 received the top A and B grade and nine had three or more As.

Head mistress Susan Gorham said: "We had expected good results this year but these results have exceeded our wildest expectations."

Four girls have won places at Oxford or Cambridge Universities: Catherine Orme will read History at Sidney Sussex, Cambridge; Caroline Pringle will read molecular and cellular biochemistry at Merton College, Oxford; Ruth Braine will read oriental studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge; and Kimberley Gillingham will read history at St. Edmund's College, Oxford.

The success of the Burgess Hill School for Girls Sixth Form seems set to continue next year as the lower sixth achieved 72% As and Bs in their AS examinations. This is another improvement on last year.

There were scenes of euphoria at the gates this morning.

Hannah Kelland, 18, achieved two As and a B. She said: "I'm feeling really happy now, it was what I hoped for but I did not expect it."

Natalia Sawden, 18, who got two As and a B, who is hoping to go to Edinburgh to study medicine, said: "It's been such a wait, it was two years of hard work and I'm really glad it's over. I'm so pleased now I know I'm off to university."

Alice Brett, 18, who is going to Cambridge University to study history and languages, said: "I did not get the three As I was supposed to get but Cambridge are going to take me anyway.

"I'm so relieved, because it was so up and down knowing I had not got the grades, but I just rang Cambridge and they said it was OK."

The 170 A-level pupils at Hazelwick School in Crawley scored a fantastic 99 per cent pass rate. Half picked up A and B grades.

Head teacher Gordon Parry said: "The results are better than last year and last year was our best year ever.

"It is a new system this year which has meant most sixth formers have had to work much harder in the lower sixth than before.

"I think that's had an impact and we have been very impressed with the way they have got down to it."

Staff and students at Ardingly College were also celebrating their best-ever results.

Of the 84 candidates there was an overall pass rate of 98.4 per cent, three per cent up on last year.

The percentage of As and Bs soared from 47 per cent last year to 64 per cent.

Head teacher John Franklin said the results rounded off an exciting year for the college, which has seen the launch of its International Baccalaureate and the start of a major building programme.

Although the girls' results were on a par with 2001, it was the boys who showed a marked improvement with an overall pass rate of almost 99 per cent.

Mr Franklin said: "It's encouraging to see while the pass rate for the girls remained reasonably constant, the boys have improved by nearly six per cent."

Top performer was Will Christopher who gained four As and one B, while Jessica Beveridge, Yevgeny Ivanko, Oscar Scafidi and James Tait all notched up four A grade passes.

Oxbridge places have been awarded to three pupils so far: Oscar Scafidi, to read archaeology and ancient history at Merton College, Oxford; Hayley Furminger to read English at St Hugh's, Oxford, and Jessica Beveridge to read natural sciences at Robinson College, Oxford.

A fourth student, Jack Sui, is awaiting confirmation of a place at Fitzwilliam, Cambridge, to read maths.

Nationally, since 1989 the proportion of A grades awarded has almost doubled from 11.4 per cent to 20.7 per cent.

The pass rate in England and Wales rose this year by five per cent to 94.3 per cent. If the rate of increase remains unchecked by 2004 every student will pass.

This summer's A-level students were the first to come through the Government's Curriculum 2000 reforms.

Pupils now take AS-level exams at the end of their first year of study, followed by A-levels a year later.

But despite the record results, concerns have been raised about students facing heavier workloads.

Wealden MP Charles Hendry said: "I congratulate those students who have done well this summer.

"But students, parents and teachers have all complained that students feel they are being turned into exam factories."

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said teachers and students deserved credit.

He said: "The annual blood-letting about standards is getting completely out of hand."