BARTON Court Grammar School was among the schools enjoying a sprinkling of stardust, with an improved number of top grades.

Pupils Jack Lowe, Rosalind Manser, Jennie Millington, Ellie Pierson, Keeley West and Elinor Reeves were among the highest achievers, with a string of A*s and As to their names.

Deputy head Penny Winston said: "We're very pleased with the overall results."

The atmosphere at St Anselm's Catholic School was also celebratory.

Acting head teacher Mike Walters said: "GCSE and A-level results days are the two best days of the year.

"The kids are all buzzing and everyone is so happy."

Sarah Parsons was predicted two As and Bs in all her other subjects but her final results were one A*, six As and 2Bs.

She said: "I still can't believe I got above what I was predicted but it's brilliant because I want to go into nursing."

At the Chaucer Technology School the results have improved steadily for the past four years.

Principal Simon Murphy said: "I'm incredibly happy with what has been achieved this year.

"The pupils here take their exams when they are ready so there are kids here today from 12 years old upwards collecting their results."

The youngest of the of the exam success stories is 12-year-old Khalid Alsinawi, a Year 8 pupil who earned an A* grade in his Arabic GCSE.

Another pupil who needn't have worried was Sara Meissner, 16, who received two A*s, four As, two Bs and two Cs.

She said: "I'm over the moon. The only thing I was worried about was my mum's reaction but I think she's going to be OK."

At St Edmund's School, some will go on to study for the AQA Baccalaureate after achieving top marks.

Director of studies Janet Mander said: "It is good to see that after much hard work the candidates have been rewarded with high levels of success.

"The results are a real testament to the commitment and effort of all our students and our excellent teaching staff."

Five girls at Simon Langton Girls Grammar School achieved all A* grades, and 27 gained a mixture of A*s and As.

More than 60 per cent achieved one A*, and 99 per cent achieved five A* to C passes.

Deputy head teacher Martin Franklin said: "These girls can feel really proud of their achievements. Their hard work has been rewarded and we look forwarded to welcoming many of these girls – together with new students, including boys, from other schools – into our sixth form in September."

Results were four per cent better than last year at Spires Academy, with 84 per cent of pupils achieving five A to C grades. Almost half of pupils gained ten or more GCSEs at C or above.

Academy leader Helen Foster said: "Staff and students are committed and passionate about exceeding potential. These results give us enormous confidence for the future."

Students were also celebrating at Canterbury High, with 95 per cent of pupils achieving five or more GCSE or equivalent passes at grades A* to C.

Principal Phil Karnavas said: " This is an excellent day for us because it means that virtually every student who attended in Year 11 has gained their 5 GCSE passes."

Top performers were David Button with 8 A*s and four As, Lauren Wiltshire with 8 A*s and an A and Keegan Goldsack-Marsh who scored 10 A* grades.