ANXIOUS pupils were queuing up for their GCSE results outside John of Gaunt this morning with many walking away hand-in-hand with their friends to celebrated their success.

In total, 252 students picked up their results with 51.2 per cent achieving the benchmark five A*-C grades in English and Maths.

Headteacher Mike Gunston said he could not be happier with the results.

Mr Gunston said: “We are delighted with the progress we have made as a school this year. Our students have worked extremely hard and we are all very proud of what they have achieved. It's pleasing to see that the number of students achieving the highest A*/A grades has risen substantially as well as so many students performing above their personal targets. We have an extremely talented staff team who always work tirelessly for our students."

He added that a special mention should be made to student Katherine Stonham who achieved the prestigious A* distinction grade for 'outstanding performance' which is unique to GCSE Further Maths.

Among the high flyers were Justin Hawkins who was over the moon to discover he had secured eight A*’s, one A and two B’s.

He said: “My parents kept telling me that I seemed to be getting more stressed as this day came but I feel on top of the world right now.”

Lucy Ibbotson shared the same thoughts on her results – bagging seven A*’s and four A’s.

“I really didn’t know what to expect from them. I’ve worked really hard and I honestly thought I was only going to get C’s.”

Daniel Steadman was one of the first pupils to open his results as the clock struck 10am.

“It’s been such a long wait but I’m really pleased with the results. It’s such a weight lifted off my shoulders and I’m hoping to go onto Music College as I already play the drums.”

One student who had made the most progress in the year according to Mr Gunston was Laura Laing who was left speechless at finding out she had received six A*’s and five A’s.

“I have done so much better than I could have thought of and I hope to go to sixth form which will allow me to study art history at university. I’ve always known I wanted to do something creative but it is really nice to know I can do it now.”

Jamie Phillips was also another high achiever with five A*’s and five A’s.

“I’m just a little bit shocked but I have waited a long time to get them and it was really scary coming her because I didn’t expect them and so I’m really happy.”