Just a week after A-level students collected their results, it's now time for GCSEs.

Pupils in Dartford and Gravesend will be heading into school this morning to find out how they did in their exams.

But it's not just GCSE results which are out today - those who chose BTEC options will also be picking up that important envelope.

These young people will then begin a new chapter of their lives, either at sixth form, college or on a work training scheme.

Numbered grading system

More GCSE subjects are being graded using the number system this year, with 9 being the top score and 1 the lowest.

This has been phased in since 2017 to replace the previous A* to G grades.

Starting with English and maths, the new number system is now being used for almost all GCSE subjects.

More pupils at Saint George's in Gravesend attained Grade 8 and 9s than ever before and more pupils have gained a 5 in both English and maths.

Head teacher Steve Carey said: "Well done to all our Year 11 pupils at Saint George’s. There is lots to celebrate.

"The progress made by all pupils is very pleasing and we are naturally very proud of all of our students who have seen the huge effort put in to gaining your GCSEs repaid with excellent grades.

"We are also extremely grateful to the dedicated staff at Saint George’s who have worked tirelessly to support our students in these endeavours."

Everyone wanted to be in the picture with star pupil Abbas Ahmed at Wilmington Academy. Pictured above with (left to right) principal Michael Gore, assistant principal Gina Stringer, student service manager Maxine McLean, and science teacher Alex Schoeddert.

Abbas is now off to sixth form in Westminster to study science and maths with results that put him in the top two percent of the country.

“It was much better that I expected he said. I’ve been nervous for the past week but it started to hit me last night. It’s a big relief.”

“I’m hoping to go to university and I’m hoping to be a doctor or an engineer. Maybe a pilot if I can afford it.

“I’ll probably have a party now - I’m going out with my mates later.”

Wilmington's head Mr Gore said the academy, part of the Leigh Academies Trust, has achieved its best ever results in the history of the academy for English language and literature with students achieving 79% 4-9 and 65% 5-9.

And 61% of students achieved a 4 or above in maths, contributing to an improvement of 58% 4-9 English and maths combined score.

Students have achieved grade 9s in English language, English literature, maths, French, Spanish, Chinese and science, which puts them in the top tier nationally.

Mr Gore said: "I am delighted to celebrate alongside parents/carers, staff and students and enjoy the positive outcomes achieved.

"Students and staff have worked so hard to attain results that provide a successful pathway for students’ onward destination. Many of whom will remain at Wilmington Academy’s impressive Sixth Form. I would like to congratulate everybody at Wilmington Academy for another very successful year."

Wilmington's Alex Hung, Rachel Davidson and Chloe Cotton were relieved to get their results.

Chloe was celebrating getting a 6 in English and geography and said it was a relief to get the results.

“It was hard work,” she said. “I cried before I opened them but it turned into happy crying - I was worried beforehand.”

Mum Anna added: “The teachers provided great intervention. They give lots of support and show them where they need to improve. I just think the teachers are passionate about ensuring then children’s futures are secure.”

At Wilimington Grammar School for Girls Amelia Waterton, 16, from Bromley, got seven 9s and three 8s, and is now aiming to study at a top university.

She said: “I did hope I would do well but I’d im honest I didn’t expect it. I was very much in shock. I was really nervous and felt sick. I thought I was going to cry but I couldn’t believe it when I opened the results. I started screaming.”

“My dream is to go to Cambridge to do some sort of science degree - maybe medicine or a veterinary degree or pathology.”

Fellow pupil Emily Burchatt, 16, from Bexleyheath, got five 9s four 8s and a 7.

“It’s better than I thought,” she said. “I aimed high but when I opened them it’s ‘wow’.

“It was a bit scary - there’s a part of you that doubts yourself so when I opened them it was really good.

“I want to study a levels here and then go to university - I’m thinking about studying law.”

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys pupil Deminion Shoroye, 16, from Slade Green, pictured with parents Samuel and Bola, got 8s in physics and chemistry and a 9 in maths.

“I was a bit nervous,” he said. “It was a bit scary but when I saw everyone smiling it was ok. It was a relief - I just opened it quickly and it was ok.”

He said he wanted to study maths and economics before going on to work in finance, but had other plans for today.

“I think we’re going for a Nando’s or something later,” he added.

Fellow pupil Calder Grant was celebrating after overcoming the odds to take his GCSEs.

The teenager was put into a coma after being knocked down in a hit-and-run and had to spend a month in hospital.

Students and staff at Meopham School are celebrating their results after 88% achieved Grade 4 or above in English, with 68% achieving a Level 5.

Results were equally strong in maths, with 81% achieving a Grade 4 and 64% achieving a Grade 5. 79% achieved a Grade 4 or above in both English and maths, with 57% achieving a Grade 5.

This is a significant increase on the results achieved last year.

There were many students celebrating exceptional success.

Connie Baillie achieved 9 Grade 5 and above results. Passes, including Grade 8s in English language, English literature and history. She also achieved two Starred Distinctions in health and social care and sport.

Connie said: “I am just so happy to have achieved these results.”

Teddie Humphrey achieved two Grade 8s in science, and Grade 7 in both history and catering, as well as a Starred Distinction in business studies.

He said: “I am so relieved and happy.”

Harry Ives achieved two Grade 8s in science, a Grade 7 in maths, and a Starred Distinction in business studies.

He said: “I am so shocked. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my great teachers.”

Head teacher Suzanne Dickinson, said: “We are thrilled with the outcomes achieved by our students again this year.

"Incredibly, we have further improved on the considerable success achieved over the past three years.

"We are delighted that our students have continued to perform so strongly across the board.”

Deputy head teacher Kate Girling, said: “I am so proud of what our students and staff have achieved. Everyone has worked so hard and I am overjoyed to see our students rewarded for their hard work.”

Gravesend Grammar School head teacher Malcolm Moaby said it was another highly successful year for his pupils with 50% of all examinations taken awarded a level 7 or above.

Nearly a third of students achieved 7 or more GCSEs at level 7 or above and 13 pupils achieved level 8 or above in all of their subjects.

He added: "Initial indications are that the students have made more progress this year than ever before from their starting points.

"We are very proud of the achievements of all our students sitting GCSE examinations this

year.

"Over the past few years there have been considerable changes to exam requirements

and we are all very pleased that our students have once again performed to a very high

standard."

At The Leigh Academy students, parents and staff are celebrating another successful year with 77% of students achieving 4 or above in English and 62% achieving a 5 or above in literature or language and 67% achieving 4 or above in maths GCSE, 67% achieving at least one 4 in a science and 70% of physics entries achieved the highest grades of 7 or above.

Julia Collins, principal, said: “I am delighted with our Key Stage 4 results this summer! They are a culmination of staff and student commitment and resilience to the challenges of the reformed qualifications. I am extremely proud that our young people have risen to the challenges and achieved so highly across all subjects. I look forward to welcoming many back into our Post 16 in September.”

Gad’s Hill student Mollie-Ann Hardy, from Higham, is celebrating across-the-board success - despite being hospitalised for some of the year.

Mollie-Ann, 16, gained nine GCSEs and was thrilled to be awarded grade 9 in her favourite subjects English literature and geography, as well as grade 7 in maths and double science.

Diagnosed with a painful nervous system disorder last year, Mollie-Ann has had to work extra hard at home, school, and in hospital, to keep-up with her studies.

Gad’s Hill headmaster, Paul Savage, said: “This year’s overall and individual results are impressive and I am proud of all our students’ successes but Mollie-Ann really has overcome adversity to achieve an excellent set of grades.

“Our children leave Gad’s Hill with qualifications which reflect their diverse and individual interests and career ambitions and our year-on-year results are testament to their hard work.”

“I am delighted with our 100% pass rates in so many different subject areas, including English Literature, mathematics, French, statistics, music and PE, demonstrating our commitment to a broad and interesting curriculum.”

Gad’s GCSE highlights this year also include a 94% pass rate in science and 91% in drama.

The school’s Combined Cadet Force continued its long-established tradition of a 100% pass rate in BTEC Teamwork and Personal Development.

Emma Jo will be on kmfm's The Hit List from 7pm tonight for a special GCSE Results Surgery.

Students from Canterbury College and Broadstairs College, as well as experts and careers advisers will be discussing what options are available to those picking up their results today.

To see how pupils in other parts of Kent did, head to our county-wide live blog

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend