Teenagers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been sharing their successes after finding out their exam results.

Students were pictured with parents, teachers and loved ones as they opened the dreaded envelope after months of hard-work preparing for A-levels, T-levels, BTec Nationals and other Level 3 qualifications.

And there was definitely something to smile about, as the proportion of A-level entries awarded top grades was up on last year – with the number achieving A* grades up 0.4% from last year, to 9.3%, and the number of A*-A grades up 0.6% from last year, reaching 27.8%.

Read more: A-level results day as it happened

Thursday morning got off to a great start at St Mark’s Academy in south London, where some students opened their results live on Sky News.

“Yes! This is what I wanted,” said Maria Elniwihi, who achieved A*AA in psychology, history and maths, securing her place on an apprenticeship.

“I’m feeling very relieved that I got the results that I wanted and I’m very happy that my hard work had paid off today, it is a great feeling.”

Two more students also got the grades for their next steps – at university.

Navaneethan Rajeswaran is off to study chemical engineering at UCL after getting A*AB in maths, physics and chemistry.

“I was very anxious about what I would get,” he told Sky News correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury. “Every day I had this day in mind, I was anxious about what could happen.

“Opening the letter and seeing the fantastic results I achieved made me happy and now I will be able to enjoy the last part of the holidays before going to university.”

Amira Hadjer Yagoub, another pupil celebrating at St Mark’s, said she was “so surprised” having achieved an A in sociology, as well as B grades in psychology and English literature.

“I’m feeling so surprised. I never thought of myself as a student who can actually do well in A-levels,” she told Sky News’ Sadiya Chowdhury.

Amira said she didn’t think she had the “work ethic” to achieve her grades – and thanked her teachers who pushed her to her “full potential”.

Fellow shocked student, Ikram Dehiles, said she “wasn’t expecting that at all” after scoring three A grades for sociology, psychology and English literature.

“I put so much pressure on myself but I’m so happy,” she said, holding up her results for the camera.

On her post-school plans, Ikram said she’s going to take some time out of education with a gap year when she plans to work and travel.

“I’m really happy that’s paid off finally and I get to celebrate with my family,” she said.

Meanwhile, in Louth, Lincolnshire, student Tyler Kay planned to hit the pub soon after opening his results.

“I got three A*s to study economics, politics and international studies at Warwick,” the teenager said from King Edward VI Grammar School.

“I feel elated and I’m celebrating hard – after months of hard work and keeping on top of current affairs to get through my studies.

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“This broad degree will allow me to specialise in which modules interest me and should provide a thought-provoking and challenging experience.

“It’s been a huge rollercoaster but I’m pleased to have my place confirmed at a top university which can open me up to exciting careers and masters programmes.”

Proud parent Jen Rowe, from Bournemouth, told Sky News her daughter’s A-level success is a “true miracle story”.

Heather, 18, has cerebral palsy, dyslexia and autism, and was out of education between years 7 and 10, Ms Rowe said.

Today, she found out she achieved an A* in criminology and two Bs in psychology and sociology.

Thanking an “exceptional teacher” at Brockenhurst College, Mr Rowe said: “Heather has also struggled with mental health and was out of education from year seven to year 10, and we were told that she was not a candidate for GCSEs.

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“An exceptional teacher saw her potential and she was able to do five GCSEs in one year and then went on to battle with A-levels.”

“Outstanding results for anyone, but more so as Heather is severely dyslexic, autistic and has cerebral palsy.”

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