Shepway's six secondary schools opened their gates this morning to crowds of teenagers eagerly awaiting their GCSE results.

Schools opened as early as 9am as hoards of pupils and their families got inside to collect the very important envelope that held the key to each individual's future.

One option is to continue into further education at a college or school sixth form, but others will be taking up apprenticeships or joining the job market directly.

BROCKHILL PARK PERFORMING ARTS COLLEGE

Just two minutes after 10am a herd of eagerly anticipating GCSE students piled into Brockhill Park to find out their results.

There was a quiet moment, for a few minutes, when all that could be heard was the ripping of envelopes as the teenagers quickly studied their grade sheets.

But smiles soon appeared on faces and the teachers were seen congratulating many of their pupils.

The Saltwood secondary got a 46% pass rate, which was “very close” to the college’s best ever results, according to the principal, Sonette Schwartz.

She commended the youngsters, teachers and parents for their hard work in what she described as a “tough year” with the sudden death of Year 11 pupil Luna Barros earlier in June.

The 16-year-old would have joined many of her class-mates in receiving her grades today.

PENT VALLEY TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE

Pupils at the Cheriton secondary managed to improve the school's average GCSE results by a grade.

This is despite the news that the Surrenden Road campus will close next September.

Derek Trimmer, the executive head teacher at Swale Academies Trust said: "We know that school improvement takes time.

"We saw the results double this year, compared to last year, it takes time for these measures to bed in and produce such a significant improvement in outcomes.”

Acting head teacher Liz Redpath said: "‘After what has been an extremely challenging year, we are pleased to see the improvement in the progress made by year 11 pupils reflected in results.

"There have been a number of significant gains in the key areas of maths and science where A-C grades achieved and expected progress have both significantly improved.

"In English, levels of expected progress have also improved."

THE FOLKESTONE ACADEMY

The academy's head teacher, Warren Smith, said he expects that exact calculations of the pupil's progress at the school will be reflected when they arrive.

Mr Smith said: “This is the first year that the headline measure on school performance has considered the progress the students have made while at the school.

"Although we don’t yet have accurate baselines from the Department for Education on which to base our calculations, I’m confident it will confirm the excellent progress made by the students here at the academy."

"This year group were particularly hard-working and I’m very pleased that their efforts have been rewarded. As always, I would like to thank staff and parents for the significant contribution they have made to these results."

THE FOLKESTONE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Tears of joy flowed and excited screams echoed around the school field as girls picked up their results from the Folkestone School for Girls.

Head teacher Tracy Luke said: “They are exceptional and done amazingly well and were really pleased that in their first five years they’ve got a really good start.”

Pupil Isobel Betty said: "I’m dead chuffed with everything. I’m really surprised with English. I’m really happy."

THE HARVEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Pupils celebrated another year of impressive GCSE results for the Harvey Grammar School.

After an outstanding Ofsted report earlier in the year and brilliant A-level results released two weeks ago the GCSEs crowned off a fantastic year for the Cheriton Road school.

Richard Moore collected an incredible set of results with 12 A*s and two As but was too nervous to open them in public.

He said: “I wasn’t expecting to get some of the A*s, I was hoping to get at least As in everything but to get A*s in nearly everything is brilliant.

Head teacher Scott Norman said it was a great end to the year.

He added: “A year of very hard work has delivered another set of outstanding GCSE results for our boys. This has been a fantastic year for all involved with the school."

More to follow.

A full picture special will be in next week's paper, out on Wednesday, August 31.