After many months of waiting, students from across Ashford were finally able to open their GCSE result this morning.

This year pupils have faced some academic changes with the new grading system.

In English literature and language, English literature and Maths the results are now marked with numbers instead of grades, with 9-7 being the equivalent of a high A* to A grade.

In Towers school, the atmosphere was a happy one with many pupils delighted with their results.

Twins Holly and Olivia Copley were so happy, they both burst into tears when they opened them, with Holly receiving an 8 in English literature and A* in ethics and Olivia getting 9 in her English literature.

Over at Highworth Grammar school, many students were delighted with their results with an amazing 113 students receiving 5 or more A*-A and 9-7 grades.

One of these is Lina Duong who achieved an impressive 11 A*-A and 9-7 grades in her results.

North School pupils celebrated their results with ice cream, and head teacher Nicki Hodges said she was particularly pleased with results in maths.

Among those celebrating were Suwannee Ndlovu-Lovlie and pal Eve Monaghan who both passed in all their subjects and are now looking forward to their A-levels.

At the Norton Knatchbull School pupils celebrated some outstanding results, and head teacher Susanne Staab said she was very pleased.

Joe Cunningham, Oliver Hanley and Euan Meek were among the pupils celebrating with A* and A grades in their studies.

The John Wallis Academy principal John McParland said pupils did very well and had to contend with the biggest shake up in examinations for a generation.

Holly Prue, Charlie Hollands, Ellie O'Keefe and Lewis Banks were some of the high achievers with A* grades and top grade 9 results.

Homewood School also had an impressive result.

Principal, Sally Lees, said: In the light of the uncertainties this change has brought in for all schools this year, Homewood is delighted to report a strong set of GCSE results which properly reflect the hard work and commitment of its students.

For the full GCSE coverage of Ashford schools, check out next week's Kentish Express, available from Thursday, August 31.