Physics, chemistry, biology and maths accounted for a quarter of all A levels taken at Bedales this year. All but two students gained A or B grades, with nine of the 13 students scoring the top grade.

Joseph Mabe (18), of Ramsdean, scored a remarkable 299 out of 300 points in three further maths papers, to add to his A grades in maths, physics and history.

He said: “I am happy. I found the further maths hard but the physics easy.”

Matthew Naylor (18) was ecstatic after he scored good enough grades to get a place in medical school.

He said: “I had poor predicted grades so I did not manage to get into the medical school I wanted, but after today I want to re-apply.

“I really was not expecting to do as well as I have done.”

Straight A grades have secured places at some of the country’s leading universities. Max Aaronson will study economics and geography at University College in London, while Arran Marais-Gilchrist is due to study chemistry at Bristol.

Heyshott student Anna Page’s top grades in biology and business studies have opened the way for her to read medicine at Southampton Medical School, and Adam Hemmings, of Steep, is heading for the University of Chicago to study archaeology after getting two A grades in history and English literature.

Bedales headmaster Keith Budge said: “I congratulate our students on their achievement.

“Overall, our pass rate has risen this year but the average is less important than the individual stories that lie behind it.

“Bedales students are fascinating and confident people who develop all sorts of unexpected talents and interests during their time here.

“They can now take up their chosen university courses – or set off on their gap-year adventures – knowing that they have already laid the academic foundations on which they can build for the rest of their lives.”