"DELIGHT" is the word after a boarding school achieved a record number of students being offered conditional places at Oxbridge, this week.

A total of five Year-13s at New Hall School, Chelmsford were offered places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, prompting a proud applause from Dr Charlotte Goddard, the acting principal.

She said: “We have been delighted to hear over the last few days of the students who have received conditional offers for Oxford or Cambridge universities.

"Five of our Year 13 students have received offers. We congratulate them on their success, while at the same time commending all our Year 13 students who have gone through the rigorous process of applying for Oxbridge, whether or not they have received an offer."

The Year 13 students, currently completing their mock A Level examinations, include Felix Fardell, Gianni Fennings, Jemima Walker, Rebecca Jackson and Oliver Ledwith.

They will read Music at St Peter’s College, Oxford, History at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, Biological Sciences at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, Law at Magdalen College, Oxford and Spanish at Churchill College, Cambridge.

Dr Goddard continued: "Many of our other students are currently applying for courses at other competitive universities, or are pursuing other interesting directions.

"We are proud to hear of all their achievements.”