Pupils across Gravesham and Dartford joined thousands of others to learn their GCSE results.

At Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend, there were plenty of smiles.

Mollie Burr, 16, got results including A*s in English literature, English language, Spanish, chemistry, physics, history and economics.

She said: "I wasn't expecting these results. I worked hard but I didn't know what I'd get.

"I'm going here for sixth form, I'm studying maths, further maths, physics and economics. I'm not sure how I'm going to celebrate my results yet though."

Georgia Maloney, 16, got results including A*s in maths, further maths, biology, chemistry, physics, Spanish and religious studies. She got 12 passes in all and was one of three top achievers at Mayfield.

She said: "I didn't think I'd do this well, I thought the exams were quite difficult. I'm coming back here for sixth form I'm going to study biology, chemistry and psychology. I'm going out later for a family meal to celebrate."

Zaynab Aslam, 16, got results including A*s in biology, English literature, history and French.

She said: "I'm quite happy with my results. I probably would have hoped for less Bs in some of the subjects, but overall all I'm happy. I'm coming back here for sixth form next year, I'm doing biology, chemistry, French and philosophy."

Mayfield head teacher Elaine Wilson said: "96.5% of Mayfield students achieved 5A*-C grades including English and mathematics at GCSE. We are extremely proud that 13.68% of all entries were at the coveted A* grade with 38.41% of results being A*-A.

"This is testament to all the hard work of our students and their teachers.We would like to congratulate our students on their results and look forward to teaching them in the sixth form."

At Wilmington Grammar School for Boys they got 96% A*-C including English and maths, down 1% on last year.

However, 50% of them had already got A* in maths in year 10 - a year early - which is 44% higher than the national average for that subject.

Head teacher Andy Williamson said: "I am gobsmacked. We are Kent's only engineering school so it is great that we are continuing to achieve exceptional results in order to create the best engineers in the country."

Mayowa Oloke, 16, from Palladian Circus, Greenhithe, got 4 A* for chemistry, electronics, maths and English as well as five As and two Bs.

He said: "I think I did OK in the sciences but I really wasn't sure about the others but I am happy with the overall results, especially in RE and English.

"I was only expecting three A*s so I'm really pleased."

He is going onto Wilmington's sixth form, which is shared with the girls' grammar. He will study maths, further maths and computer science at A-level.

At St John's Catholic Comprehensive School, Gravesend, Tommy Ryan, 16, got results including A*s in maths, science and additional science.

He said: "I'm pleased with my results. I enjoy science and maths so I'm proud of what I achieved in those subjects. I'll be coming back here for sixth form and I'm going to study further maths, maths and physics."

Victoria Mitchell, 16, got results including A*s in science, geography, maths and English. She said: "I'm so pleased. I thought I was going to fail and mess up and not get in to sixth form but I'm so happy with my results, words can't describe it.

"I'm coming back here for sixth form and I'm studying biology, chemistry, physics and psychology. I want to go into medicine and be a heart surgeon."

Faustina Nwodo, 16, got results including A*s in additional science, science, English literature and maths. She said: "I'm very shocked. I wasn't expecting this at all. I had worked hard but I was unsure of how I had done in the exams.

"I thought it was going to be 50/50. I feel so lucky to have done so well. I don't know what I'm doing next year, I need to talk to my mum about it and then we'll decide."

Matt Barron, head teacher at St John's, said: "St John's, for the third year running, has achieved a set of fantastic GCSE results, which is is a testament to the hard work of pupils and the professionalism of the staff.

"In particular, our results in English are truly outstanding with 81% of students achieving a C grade or higher - a wonderful achievement."

Wilmington Academy saw 49% A*-C including English and maths. That was 67% A*-C in English, 65% A*-C in maths, and 76% A*-C in science.

Principal Tracey Trusler said: "The students have made outstanding progress especially as we are a non-selective school.

"Fifty to 60% of our students will stay on here post-16 and many of the others have apprenticeships lined up as well as places in college.

"We will phone up all of our students in a few months to make sure they are on the right track."

Pupil Mitchell Beale, 16, from Denver Road, Dartford, got an A in History, distinction in Business, B in English among others and has made it to the final three in interviews for an apprenticeship with ITV.

He said: "I was very scared and nervous before I came here today but when I opened the envelope this morning I was incredibly pleased and proud.

"They were around what I was expecting and I'm particularly pleased with getting an A in history. I've already told my parents and I'm planning on celebrating with them and some friends and a takeaway later this evening.

"I haven't phoned my Nan yet and I'm quite looking forward to speaking to her. There is nothing like making your Nan proud."

Northfleet School for Girls was pleased to announce a very positive set of results.

A total of 63% of pupils achieved A*-C in English with the same amount achieving A*-C in maths.

Hard work was reflected in significant rises in attainment across a wide range of subjects, in particular a rise of 8% of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) qualifications.

Individual subjects saw particular successes, with significant increases for English literature, science, business, computing, French, history, Spanish and ICT.

Head teacher Chris Norwood said: “We are very pleased with our individual student successes across a wide range of subjects. Our students worked very hard throughout the year and deserve the successes these results will bring.”

High flyers included Britney Staff, who achieved 4 A*s, 4 As and a B, Lucy Harris (1 A*, six As and 3 Bs), and Georgia Bevan (1 A*, six As and a B).

At Saint George's Church of England School, Gravesend, Robyn Caplin, 16, got results including an A* in science, an A in RE, B in history and a B in English.

She said: "I'm happy. I worked hard for these. I think I can say my strengths come through in my results so I'm over the moon. I'm going here for sixth form and I'm taking up English, economics and philosophy. I want to go into journalism in the future, hopefully, if I can keep this up."

Thanakorn Nopphawing, 16, got results including an A* in physics and As in chemistry, biology and maths.

He said: "I'm going on to Mayfield for sixth form hopefully. I still haven't definitely decided yet though. I'm going to be studying biology, chemistry and physics - I want to study medicine at university. I'm really pleased with my results but I haven't told my parents yet I'm going to surprise them when I get home."

Fanny Simpson, 16, got A*s in chemistry, biology, physics and French, among other results.

She said: "I'm feeling really emotional but excited. I'm staying here for sixth form. I've got no plans about how I'm going to celebrate my results but I'm probably going out with my friends later."

Steve Carey, head teacher at Saint George's, said: "We are very proud that Saint George's students have again this year exceeded all external targets. Once again our value added score, that is the progress that all students make during their time here, is well above the national average. This reflects the inclusive ethos of our school.

"I am also delighted that we have seen further improved performance in all subjects rather than only those which would suggest a very narrow curriculum offer.

"My sincere thanks go to our incredibly hard working committed and talented staff for helping all of our students achieve their very best."

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls achieved the highest results in the school's history. More than 56% of grades were A*-A with 21% of the pupils obtaining 10 or more A*-A and 62% obtaining five or more A*-A.

Head teacher Donna Lodge said: "I am thrilled with the individual success stories and the results are testament to the hard work of students and staff.

"This is my first year at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls so I am very pleased to achieve record results."

She extended special congratulations to Sydney Borrow, Emma Green, Rahma Mohammed Al-Farsy, Musarrat Nusaiba, Adeola Ojo, Mahika Singh and Trisha Thivakaran who all obtained 12 A*-A in their exams.

Rahma, 16, got nine A*s and two As. She said: "I was feeling nervous this morning and last night so I started doing puzzles to distract me but when I came in this morning I started crying with happiness. My dad started hugging me. It's just been amazing."

She is looking to study physics at A-level and university in hope to one day work for Cern as a particle physicist.

Stephenie Fotheringham, 16, got two A*s in ICT and religious studies as well as six As and three Bs. She said: "I am particularly pleased I got two A*s. I wasn't that fussed about getting any so it was a real treat.

"I am going out to celebrate later with friends and family at a Mexican restaurant."

She is off to study a BTEC in media at North West Kent College with ambitions to become a television editor.

At Thamesview School, Gravesend, as well as the usual GCSE results, many pupils had taken their exams a year early.

Grace Elder, 15, got Bs in statistics and English language and a C in additional science, she said: "I'm pleased, I was expecting to do worse than this. I haven't told my parents yet but they'll be pleased to hear how I've done. It was a bit nerve wracking to do some of my exams a year earlier but I'm relieved now."

Connor Daines, 15, got a B in statistics and Cs in science and English. He said: "I'm surprised because I thought I was going to get all Cs. I was nervous to take the exams because I don't like pressure but I'm really relieved to have done so well."

George Broadhurst, 15, got an A in statistics and a C in science. He said: "I'm pleased because I worked really hard for my A. It's been a busy week for me because I've done work experience at Euston Station for Virgin Trains, it was great."

Harry Ingham, head teacher of Thamesview, said: "This has been another excellent year for students of Thamesview School. We have maintained our high standards in making sure that 54% of our year 11 students achieved five or more A*-C grades including English and maths.

"At a time when GCSE exams are getting harder our students have shown that hard work leads to exam success. These results have meant this is another year at Thamesview where more students are going to study A-levels than ever before.

"All staff have worked extremely hard this year and I would like to say well done to everyone that works at Thamesview and in particular to our dedicated teachers and learning support staff."

Geoff Wybar, head of Gravesend Grammar, said: "Once again we are very pleased with the GCSE results at Gravesend Grammar School this year.

"Students and staff, supported by parents and families, have worked really hard to attain some excellent results. Nearly 44% of the grades awarded were either A* or A, and more that 76% were A* to B.

"More than 96% of students got at least 5 A*-C grades including English and maths, with 16 boys getting at least 10 A*-A grades. Maths and ICT performed extremely well attaining more than 80% A*-A grades. History, physics and biology also exceeded the 50% mark of top grades.

"These results have to be seen in a national context where the percentage of top grades nationally has come down slightly, which makes them especially pleasing. These results should allow our boys to choose how they progress to the next stage of their education."

Pupils and staff at Dartford Science and Technology College celebrated their best ever GCSE results.

A total of 69% achieved 5 GCSEs A*–C with 55% achieving 5 A*–C with English, maths and science, a 5% increase on last year.

There were significant improvements in the science results where 78% of students achieved grade C or above and in maths, where 69% achieved grade C or above.

There were many students celebrating outstanding results. These included: Ellen Collins (5 A*s, 2 As, 1B), Demi Derby (4 A*s, 3 As, 2Bs), Dimasha Perera (1 A*, 6 As and 3 Bs).

Particular congratulations went to Jordan Madge who achieved 7As and 2Bs but also an A grade in A-level maths which she took two years early.

The outgoing principal Seamus Murphy, who is joining Ofsted as an inspector in September, praised the performance of pupils and staff.

He said: “Since joining DSTC in 2011, I have seen the results improve by 10% and the school move from the bottom 25% to the top 25% in the country for progress of all students.

"In addition this year, there has been an increase in the both the number of A and A* grades.

"I am extremely proud that so many of our students have achieved such excellent results. They now have a strong foundation to build their future and I would like to wish them every success and expect DSTC to go from strength to strength. I also wish the staff and the acting principal Alison Chapman the best of luck in the next academic year.”

Dartford Grammar School, already celebrating outstanding International Baccalaureate results for its older pupils, was delighted by the GCSE success of its year 11s.

A clean sweep of 100% of pupils gained 5+ A*-C, including English and maths. A total of 61% of students gained 7 or more A*/A grades, with 26 students achieving 11 A* or A grades, and a further 25 students gaining 10 A*-A grades.

A total of 87.4 % of students gained at least 3 A*/A grades, and 98% achieved the English Baccalaureate measure, reflecting the school’s broad, balanced and rigorous academic curriculum.

At a time when language results, especially among boys, are a national cause for concern, DGS saw 99% of its boys gain A*-Cs in foreign languages.

Headmaster John Oakes said: “These results are outstanding. DGS sets the highest standards in everything we do and our results certainly reflect that, with each set of grades telling a story of a committed and focussed young adult, with a full set of 21st century skills and a track record of extra-curricular activities, ready to succeed in the sixth form and beyond.”

At Dartford Grammar School for Girls 74% of all grades were at A or A* level.

Head teacher Sharon Pritchard said: "We are extremely pleased with these results which now enable students to progress with the next stage of their education.

"We would like to congratulate all the students on their successes, which have been achieved through the students’ considerable hard work and the support and dedication of our staff.

"I would also like to thank parents for their continuing support."

The Ebbsfleet Academy almost doubled the results of its predecessor school, Swan Valley Community School, with at least 53% of students gaining five A*-C grades including maths and English.

This shows a rise in performance since it became an academy. Only 28% of students achieved five A*-C grades (including maths and English) in 2013 and 38% in 2014.

In total, students gained 52 A and A* grades between them.

Principal Alison Colwell said: "Such a significant improvement in our GCSE results this year clearly shows that the persistent hard work and commitment of our students and the exceptional teaching and support provided by the staff is having a fantastic impact.

"We congratulate all of our students on their achievements and warmly thank their teachers and families for the support that was generously provided.

"The academy’s motto is ‘Aspire, Excel’. Our students have been aspiring since The Ebbsfleet Academy was formed two years ago. Today, they have excelled."

Meopham School enjoyed a record year with its highest amount of pupils achieving A*-C grades, including in maths and English.

It was a good year for the school's English department with 14% of students achieving A*-A grades in English literature and there was also a record amount of pupils passing 10 or more GCSEs at C grade or above with a 16% increase on last year.

It was a great day for Meopham's top performing pupil, Harpreet Cheema, who achieved 11 A*-B grades, with two A*s and 5 As, she said: “I am so pleased with my A* in English literature and my A grades in English language, maths and statistics. I also got two As in science.”

David Luchford was also pleased with his hard work, he said: “I am stunned by my 11 A*-Bs. My A*s and As in maths, statistics, English literature, history, and religious studies are a great stepping stone for my future.”

Ryan Brady, who achieved 11 GCSEs at grades A*-B, said: “I wish to pursue a career in science so I am overjoyed with my double A grades in science.”

Deputy head, Cat Taylor said “I am delighted that Meopham School continues to go from strength to strength, with the average number of A*-C passes rising to a record high.”

Head teacher Suzanne Dickinson said, “It is wonderful that so many students have achieved such excellent results this year, both at GCSE and at A level.”