AN Oxbridge eight are destined for the country's top universities as a North Yorkshire state school continues to match top public schools on performance.
Some of the students from Ripon Grammar School, which last year topped the county league for A level results, are the first in their family to go to an elite university, while others are continuing a family tradition.
Twm Stone is following his grandfather and father, consultant anaesthetist Dr Peter Stone, to Christ's College, Cambridge, to read mathematics.
"My dad would never have forgiven me if I'd applied to Oxford," joked Twm, whose aunt and uncle were married at the college.
"I'm really looking forward to being able to spend all of my time on a subject I love," added the 17-year-old from Helmsley, who has boarded at the Grammar School since joining the sixth form in 2012.
Jamie Blyton's parents Matthew and Carolyn met as post-graduate students at Cambridge University and now their 18-year-old is going there to read human, social and political sciences at Gonville and Caius College.
Jamie, 18, of North Stainley, encouraged other students to apply. "I had two interviews which were challenging but everyone was very nice and I enjoyed the whole process. I was there for a day and got to meet current students and applicants. No-one should be put off from applying," he said.
Adam Garner, 18, will be at the same college reading natural sciences but may encounter rivalry with his brother who is a final year chemistry student at Oxford University.
It is a double celebration for the village of Kirkby Hill, where fellow resident Edward Ward is also off to Cambridge to read natural sciences.
Edward and Adam, who need an A* and two As this summer, have known each other since primary school.
Edward, 17, said: "I hadn't really thought about university before sixth form, but when I got my AS results I thought 'they're good enough, why not apply?'"
All the students have been offered places based on their AS results last summer, predicted grades and interviews.
They are set to follow nine students who went to Oxford and Cambridge last summer from the Grammar School.
Flora Holmes, 18, of Upper Dunsforth, needs three As to read politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at Lincoln College, Oxford.
"I needed A*s for some of my other choices so by getting an offer from Oxford I feel like the hardest part is over," she said.
As well as their A levels, Jonathan Pitts and Robbie Aitken have a challenging few weeks ahead as they are also appearing in the school's ambitious production of ‘Les Miserables’
Jonathan, 17, of Burton Leonard, who has an offer from Cambridge to read education with English and drama, is hoping to carry on performing after starring as Jean Valjean in March.
Robbie, 17, from Ripon, who is bound for Oxford to study French and linguistics, added: "I'm really looking forward to getting started."
The eighth student, Phoebe Edwards, is going to Lincoln College, Oxford, to read classical archaeology and ancient history.
Headmaster Martin Pearman, said: "We are delighted, as a state grammar school, to once again have so many students securing Oxbridge places, as well as many more who have been accepted by excellent universities around the country.
"Our staff will continue to support them as we move towards the A level examinations and encourage students lower down the school to aspire to follow them in the future."
* Ripon Grammar School is hosting a sixth form opening on Monday, January 27 at 6.30pm for any students interested in finding out more. The closing date for applications to the sixth form in September 2014 is February 24 2014. For more information, visit www.ripongrammar.co.uk or call 01765 602647.
