Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Shrieks of delight and tears of joy were the predominant reactions from students collecting their GCSE results at schools across Ashford and Shepway this morning.

At Ashford’s Christ Church School teachers were delighted after a five per cent improvement on last year’s results.

One pupil, Max Philo, scored one of the highest marks nationally in art and design.

Headteacher Catherine Barber said: “I am delighted that the hard work of all students and staff has been acknowledged in these outcomes.”

It was another record-breaking year for Ashford’s Highworth Grammar School with results up on last year. 54 per cent of the grades awarded to pupils were As or A*s.

Head teacher Paul Danielsen said: “These are outstanding results and the best the school has ever had.”

Six students at Ashford’s Norton Knatchbull School received top grades in the school’s new GCSE exam, Japanese.

The teenagers all received A*s in the subject when it was taken as a modern language exam for the first time.

Head teacher John Speller said: “I think the students saw taking Japanese as a challenge, because it is difficult. It would also be useful in later life in terms of international business.

“Overall I am pleased with the GCSE result this year, they show continued improvement.”

A total 96 per cent of students gained 5 grades A to C and 40 per cent gained As and A*.

Folkestone’s Harvey Grammar School for Boys and Pent Valley both had their best results ever and the Folkestone Academy, which only opened in September, was thrilled with its success.

At the Harvey 33.1 per cent of results were at A or A* grades. Senior vice principal Phil Harding said: “The results were very good - in fact our best ever. The staff and pupils are very pleased. The results reflect all the hard work put in and they are what the pupils deserve.”

At Pent Valley 27 per cent of pupils achieved five GCSEs, including maths and English, at A-C grades, although after appeals headteacher Mario Citro hopes this figure will rise to 30 per cent, which is the Government target for 2011.

He said: “I am very happy with the results. It’s the second year I’ve been here as head and last year the results were the best ever. This year we have repeated that.”

Caroline Stubbings, acting headteacher at Folkestone School for Girls said their results were brilliant.

“The girls have done extremely well and we are pleased with the results.”

99.5 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades, only just short of the 100 per cent reached last year.

A total of 12 girls at the school achieved all A and A* grades in their results.

Brockhill Park Performing Arts College were equally pleased with their GCSE results.

Retiring principal, Tony Lyng said: “The results reflect considerable work by the staff and students.

“I am delighted at our students’ success and congratulate them and staff on such a fine effort.”

95 per cent of students passed in five subjects and 69 per cent achieved at least five A to C grades.

For more details about GCSE exam successes see next Thursday’s Kentish Express.