There wa s a mixture of reliief, shock and disappointment for students at Ramsey Grammar School receiving their A-level results.

The school’s highest achiever was 18-year-old George Boles from Ballaugh, who attained four A* grades in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics.

He said: ’I’m struggling to believe the proof of the paper, I think I might still be in shock.

’I’m really happy. My mum’s over the moon, she screamed when I told her over the phone.

’I’m seeing my grandparents tonight, I cannot wait to tell them.’

George explained that due to being in Prague for the International Linguistic Olympiad as a member of the Manx team and later travelling around Eastern Europe with his girlfriend, he didn’t get much time to think about the impending results day.

’I didn’t have long to get nervous, as I arrived home the day before but I was feeling quite nervous this morning. Turns out it was all for nothing as it’s worked out quite well,’ he laughed.

The next step in George’s life is to study a Masters in mathematics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

’It’s always been maths for me,’ he said.

’Ever since primary school I’ve loved maths. It’s my favourite subject so I’m very excited to study it.’

Tom Wilkinson, from Ramsey, achieved three A grades in maths, chemistry and physics and will be studying chemical and nuclear engineering at the University of Leeds.

’I enjoyed chemistry and physics in school and the nuclear parts of physics,’ Tom said.

’I go to Leeds all the time with my dad to watch rugby. I think it’s a great place.’

The 18-year-old added that his accommodation is ’sorted’ and that his cooking is ’alright’.

Amber Sibbald, 18, also from Ramsey, achieved top grades in business (A), global perspectives (A) and psychology (B).

She will be studying marketing at The University of Liverpool this September.

She said: ’I’m really happy as I didn’t expect it. I was trying not to think about results day.

’My mum said "you can’t change it now" so I was thinking about that, but my heart was going when I first came in.’

She said that her favourite subject was ’definitely’ the new global perspectives course, which is ’skills-based’ as students are expected to do their own research and give a presentation along with essays and coursework.

’I quite liked my time at school,’ she added. ’I’ve been here since year seven and it’s been a good school to go too.

’It’ll be weird not seeing my friends all the time [when I’m at university], but I’ll be meeting new people which will be cool.’

Alice Lowdon, 18, from Ramsey, is looking to study linguistics at the University of Edinburgh after achieving three A grades in maths, biology and chemistry.

However, since she has higher grades than what is expected to do the course Alice has the opportunity to go through ’adjustment’.

This process enables those who exceed their grades requirements of their first choice university to change it for a higher-ranked course or university.

’I’m not really sure that I will go to adjustment,’ she explained.

’Edinburgh is a nice city.’

Dad Chris, who is the Reverend at St Paul’s in Ramsey, added: ’It was her lowest offer, but it was the nicest place where she wants to live.

’It’s not just about living in a place where you can survive, but where you can thrive.’

He continued: ’She worked very hard to get her results and that what she’s like. She likes to work.

’It’s a good reward for the work she put in.

’From an Isle of Man perspective Edinburgh is an awful long way.

’We’ve still got the youngest one who of course has never experienced living without the presence of an older sister.

’The family dynamic will change just because she won’t be there.

’We will be sitting worrying about her when she’s outside our help, but we’ve watched six of her cousins already go off to university and her mother and I know how it works as we went to university a generation and a half ago.

’Some things will undoubtedly become easier. For instance, there’ll be less washing to do,’ he laughed.

Although Alice’s time in high school ended on a high note, it was initially difficult.

’She has Asperger’s syndrome and in a previous high school, which we won’t mention, she was mercilessly bullied because she was different,’ Chris shared.

’Ramsey Grammar provided Alice with a flexible learning area where she had a lot more support and there are a lot more staff here then there was in the previous school.

’Having her at Ramsey Grammar has been a much better experience.’

Alice continued: ’I’ve had good support here and The University of Edinburgh has really good support for those who have disabilities and they run many events for people on the autistic spectrum.’

A level passes from every school are listed in this week’s Isle of Man Examiner, which is in the shops now.