Huge smiles and sighs of relief broke out as A-level students received a glowing set of results at the Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools. At Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls (HMSG), 52.6 per cent of girls achieved A* to A grades – more than double the national average of 26 per cent. And at Monmouth School, the boys enjoyed their second best recorded percentage of 16.3 for A* grades. Many students won their first choice places at university, with several heading to Oxford or Cambridge to fulfil their dreams. Caroline Pascoe, headmistress at HMSG, said: "I am so proud of the girls' results today. "Whether they achieved A*s, or Bs and Cs, they all worked extremely hard and their dedication has paid off. "HMSG has achieved above and beyond the national average for A* to A grades, which is testament to the hard work and passion of our staff and pupils. "All of the girls are ready to set off and change the world in their individual ways, and I cannot wait to see what they do next." A total of 18.1 per cent of girls were awarded A* grades, nearly 10 per cent above the national average of 8.2 per cent. Roshani Badgami won a place at Cambridge to study natural sciences with two A*s in biology and physics and two As in chemistry and maths. She said: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I put in a lot of hours. "I want to go into research, perhaps drug development." Marianne Hohendorf achieved four A*s and will study law and German at the University of Oxford; Rachel Tilley won her place at Cambridge to study engineering with three A*s and an A and Charlotte Moore is off to Oxford to study medicine after achieving two A*s and two As. Menna Rose was thrilled to receive an A* and two As and will study psychology at Durham University after a gap year. Over at Monmouth School, 43.4 per cent of its boys were awarded A* to A grades, a four per cent rise from last year. 73.5 per cent achieved A* to B grades, beating last year's results by eight per cent. Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster, said: "This year we achieved our second highest percentage of A* grades which bucked the national trend. "Thanks to a combination of hard work by the pupils and teachers, the majority of students have won places at their first choice universities. "For those going to Oxbridge and all universities, it will be a life-changing experience. I'm enormously proud of them all. "As ever, these boys have not just excelled academically, but in many other character-building pursuits as well. "One pupil, Ben Butt, is off to study natural sciences at Cambridge on a choral scholarship – he has his first singing engagement there in September." Oliver Hudson has won his place at Cambridge to study human, social and political sciences, Devan Kuleindiren will study computer science at Cambridge after achieving four A*s and Wesley Nelson will read law at Oxford. Devan said: "I'm really relieved – more relieved than happy. "It means everything to me. It feels like everything I've done has built up to this. "I put in a ridiculous amount of work. I did every past paper I could get my hands on and revised for 10 to 12 hours a day in the week before each exam." Head boy and GB rower Will England achieved four As. He intends to take a gap year and is planning to apply for a rowing scholarship at a university in America.