It is GCSE results day and thousands of teenagers across Gravesham and Dartford wait with bated breath this morning for their results from the past two years of study.

It is also the last year before a new grading system comes into force, when A* - G will be replaced with one to nine.

Nationally the number of top grades are expected to fall this year, with record numbers of pupils having re-sat their exams.

But that is not the picture across all of north west Kent.

We have reporters visiting a number of schools this morning so keep up to date with your local school's performance here throughout the morning.

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls has achieved outstanding results, with 62% of students obtaining 5 or more A*/A grades.

For the past two years the school has been recognised for the exceptional progress made by students, because the GCSE results achieved have placed the school in the top 10% of schools in the country, when considering the progress made between Key Stage 2 results and Key Stage 4 results.

This looks set to be replicated for the third year in a row. Headteacher Donna Lodge said: "I am thrilled with the GCSE outcomes and the results are a testament to the hard work of students and staff.

"Above all though, I am so proud that we have so many exceptionally well rounded students who will be such an asset to society and flourish in many fields, due to their determination and characters, as well as their academic prowess."

One of the pupils celebrating was Fejiro Okagbare who got six A*, four As, and two Bs.

She is going to St Olaves in Orpington to study A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and economics and wants to go on to study medicine at Cambridge.

Dartford Grammar School

Already celebrating record IB Results for its older students, the school got record GCSE success today.

Half of all students gained 10 or more A*/A grades. Overall 72% of all grades achieved were A*/A.

At a time when language results are a national cause for concern, DGS saw 100% of its boys gain A*-Cs in at least one foreign language, with 96% getting A*-C in two languages.

Headmaster John Oakes said: "This makes DGS almost unique in Britain as a powerhouse of language learning and equips its students to succeed in the global economy of the future.

"We are very proud of our students; they are committed, hard-working young adults with excellent grades and a track record of extra-curricular activities as they move on to further success in the sixth form and beyond."

Archie Hayton achieved nine A*s, plus one A and one B.

“The one I’m most proud of is English, but the one I did best in was physics,” he said.

“English is the subject I care about most and I wasn’t sure whether I had done well because of my coursework. It is something I see myself doing at university. It’s one of the subjects I’m most interested in, definitely.”

He gave special mentions to his English teacher, Mr Looney, and his physics and biology teachers, Mr Breen and Miss Richards.

Archie is staying at DGS for sixth form to do the IB. He will study politics, economics and English at higher level, and maths, Spanish and sports science at standard.

Gwok-Chiu got eight A*s and three As. He said: “I am happiest with the sciences because I thought they were quite tough exams and so I wasn’t too optimistic.”

His pal, Joseph Winstanley also got nothing but A*s and As - two of the former and nine of the latter.

“I am happy with music because I was aiming for an A* and it is my favourite subject,” he said.

“I want to carry on as a musician so that’s helpful. Science I am happy with as well because it’s my least confident subject, so to get the A is good."

Joseph will also be staying at DGS to do the IB. He is going to do music, German and economics at higher level, and maths, English and environmental systems and societies at standard.

Guy Uong was the joint top performer among those the Messenger spoke to thanks to his straight A*s.

He said: “I was surprised but I wasn’t as nervous as other people going into the exams or coming out of the exams - what’s done is done!”

Guy will be doing the IB at DGS, too. He’ll study maths, chemistry and physics at higher level, with economics, English and Chinese making up his standard selection.

His friend, James Rolls, also got straight A*s, as did Sidhant Jadeja. Chris Willis and Joel Butcher both got 10 A*s.

Mr Oakes added: “We’re thrilled with the 2016 GCSE results. They were eagerly awaited and when we discovered that over half of our students had achieved 10 A*/As in their GCSEs we were thrilled, and 72% of all grades were an A* or an A, which is a significant increase on last year.

“It sets the bar very high for the future as teachers who are educating young people for the future, and we’re now looking to set the standard for the future.

“If we take the grades out of the equation, the thing as the head of Dartford Grammar School I am most pleased with is that all of our boys must do two modern foreign language GCSEs at a time when it’s a national disgrace that the number of students at 16 and 18 doing modern foreign languages is in such decline.

“We feel that makes our GCSE results unique and gives us a great source of pleasure as we’re educating young people for an increasingly shrinking world.”

On the school’s performance compared to the county and national average, he said: “I’m not particularly interested in league tables and being top because league tables are deeply flawed.

“The thing that gives me the greatest source of pleasure is the nature of the subjects that our students do and in the harder GCSE subjects, which the languages are, students are performing at the very top, competing against the very best independent schools across the country and the best super-selective schools across the country.

“It’s the nature of the subjects rather than the league table position that we’re interested in, it’s the curriculum that’s more important.

“Schools are about young people and are about the curriculum that they follow. Our students follow a seven year curriculum and the aspect that makes this school unique in an area where there’s many good schools is that it’s strongly focused on internationalism.

“The fact that all of our students do English, do maths, do at least two sciences, two modern foreign languages and at least two humanities, it prepares them for an academic sixth form curriculum, which is what the IB diploma is.

“It keeps our students’ options open until they get on to university and then at university it’s the time they tend to specialise, so we think it’s the very best preparation for a very uncertain future.”

St John’s Catholic Comprehensive

Megan Branch, 16, got three A* and three A in English, maths, RE, additional science, sociology and geography. She is staying on at St John’s sixth form to study A-level English literature, sociology and maths.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting this at all. They went so well and tonight we’re definitely going out for a slap up meal.”

Emily Woolley, 16, got two A*, three As and a pass in English language, maths, RE, additional science, sociology and home cooking skills.

She will study A-levels at St John’s in history, maths, English literature and drama. She said: “I’m feeling amazing. I can’t believe I got an A* in maths, I can’t stop smiling.”

Tayo Awokoya, 16, got A in science, geography and graphic products, B in English, maths and RE, and C in art and will study A-levels at St John’s in geography and art.

She said: “ I’m so happy I thought I was going to fail maths. My dad said I made his day which made me smile.”

Grace Rroga, 16, got A* in RE and additional science, A in maths and sociology, Distinction* in media and B in English.

A-levels in maths, biology and art will be her next step at St John’s. She said: “I was so stressed but this is a big relief. I’m going to go home to my parents and celebrate.”

Quinn Smith, 16, said: “I did really well, better than expected. I want to be a barrister next so this has helped me to get there.”

His four A*, two As and B in PE, sociology, law, maths, additional science, RE and English language means he will stay on at the school to study A-level history, English literature, history and psychology.

Northfleet School for Girls

Desiree Awani, 16, got A* in maths and further maths, A in history, English literature and science, B in ICT and product design.

She is going to sixth form at either Wilmington or a boys’ grammar in Rochester to study A-levels in maths, physics and economics.

She said: “I’m excited, I can’t even speak. I didn’t think I would get these grades. I’m going to celebrate with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.”

Toju Adelaja, 16, said: “I did pretty well, I’m in shock. I was expecting good results but not this amazing. These are my best ever marks, I’m going to go out with family and relax now.”

She is off to sixth form to study history, psychology and English literature at Rochester grammar after getting 6A* and 4 As in French, business studies, computing and history, English, maths and science.

Humaira Farooq, 15, said: “I think I did well. I got into my sixth form so I’m happy. I’m going to take my family out for dinner as a treat to say thank you for their support.”

She will study A-levels at Gravesend grammar in chemistry, biology, maths and government and politics after getting maths (A), geography (A*), additional science (A), English language (A), media (B), further science (B), Spanish (C) and computing (A).

Head teacher Chris Norwood said: “We are especially proud of our students for their achievements in a record breaking year – 62% of our students have now achieved A* to C in English and maths with particular improvements in A* and A grades.

“We would especially like to recognise Toju Adelaja who received 6A* and 4As.

“It is a real joy to experience our students build on their strengths, then seeing this culminate in excellent GCSE results.

“Results such as this do not happen by chance, it is down to hard work and dedication of the student, staff and parent support. I would like to thank all those involved in ensuring our students have succeeded to such a high level.

“I know that all of our students will see even more success in their future studies and career choices.”

Meopham School

Pupils and staff at Meopham School are celebrating the highest GCSE results in the school’s history.

An incredible 71% of students achieved five or more good GCSEs, including English and maths. In addition, 84% secured a grade C or above in English language while 80% secured a grade C or above in maths.

Notable student successes included Phoebe Bix, who achieved eight As and one A* as well as two Bs.

Phoebe said: “I’m speechless and shocked. I’m just so happy.”

Lucy Graham, who achieved eight As and four Bs, said: “I’m overwhelmed. I did not expect to achieve grades this high.”

She will stay at Meopham sixth form to study English, maths, applied science and health and social care. She said: “ You always doubt yourself but it was a lovely surprise.”

Billy Peacock, who achieved six As, four Bs and two Cs. He is staying on to do art, photography and performing arts. “It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s eventually paid off so I’m really happy with it and proud of myself.”

Head teacher Suzanne Dickinson said: “These outstanding results are due reward for the hard work and commitment of students and staff.

“It is fantastic that our academic and family ethos in a small school setting is producing such excellent outcomes for our pupils.”

Assistant head teacher Matt Pyrke, said: “This year’s outcomes are a tribute to the commitment and resilience of the students at Meopham School.”

Dartford Science and Technology College

Chloe Cogley got two As and seven Bs and is going to North Kent College to study public services and wants to be a police officer.

Louise Norman got two A*, two As and four Bs and is staying on at the school to study A-levels in maths, biology and chemistry.

Ebbsfleet Academy

Reegan Knight got five As and four Bs and is going to Dartford Grammar School to study the International Baccalaureate.

Jayda Kaur-Bains got one B and three Cs and is off to North Kent College in Dartford to study photography.

Longfield Academy

It was yet another fantastic year for Longfield Academy.

Principal Alex O’Donnell said: “We are very proud of the achievements of all of the young people who worked incredibly hard to achieve their potential.

“We are excited to report that 56% of the students achieved both English and mathematics. Across all subjects, the progress of students was impressive with a positive Progress8 score [a new system of measuring pupils’ progress across eight subjects from age 11 to 16].

“We are particularly proud of our English and science results that have shown the majority of students achieving good grades and making excellent progress.

“Special mention should go to Salha Abdulgialil who was awarded 9A*- A and 1 B; Eloise Cunnew who was awarded 5A*- A and 4 Bs and James Wallis who was awarded 1A*, 7As, 1B, 2Cs.

“Our students have cause to celebrate their success and know that these results were not luck but the result of consistent hard work and commitment to their future.”

“Longfield Academy strives to support each and every one of our students to achieve beyond expectations and I am thrilled that so many have achieved that today.

“As an academy, we would like to thank our parents who have been tireless in their support and encouragement of their children and I would also like to thank our staff who never fail to show determination and patience to ensure these students achieve what they are capable of and more.”

Simon Beamish, chief executive of Leigh Academies Trust which runs the academy, said: “Our academies’ results this year are simply stunning. Across the board and in a wide range of subjects, scores have risen making this group of Year 11s the most successful on record.

“The high achievements of staff and students demonstrate the power of formal working across one of the region’s most successful multi-academy trusts. We look forward to welcoming many of our Year 11s back into one of our sixth forms in September.”

Cobham Hall

Cobham Hall celebrated its best ever GCSE results.

The A* – C pass rate was 98%, and 50% of grades were A* or A. In addition, 75% were A* - B.

The school is dedicated to all round achievement, and top results were achieved across a whole range of subjects, in addition to many girls passing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and individual music and drama examinations.

Headmaster Paul Mitchell said: “Once again I am delighted with our GCSE results but especially so this year as they are the best in our history.

“For two of the last three years 50% of our GCSE grades have been either A* or A, and in addition this year our A* - C pass rate is up to 98%. Nearly a quarter of the girls attained nine A* and A grades.

“Cobham Hall is not an academically selective school but we show what can be achieved by hard working pupils and dedicated teachers working in small classes in a positive environment.

“They have been ably supported by our superb pastoral staff and the pupils’ parents and all thoroughly deserve their success. I look forward to congratulating the pupils personally as they begin their sixth form studies at Cobham Hall in September. Well done!”

As part of the girls’ English literature exams, they studied Lord of the Flies and took part in a tag day dressed as characters from the novel.

Wilmington Academy

Principal Tracey Trusler said: “We are delighted with our GCSE and Btec results with excellent grades across a wide range of subjects – 83% of students achieved an A*-C grade in English language or literature, 60% in maths and over 80% achieved at least one A*-C in science.”

Korede Sansom achieved eight A*-C grades and Jubinol Hye achieved 10 A*-C grades. Victoria Holder, Jack Chamberlain and Maisy Delieu scooped 28 A*-C grades between them and Lily Lewis achieved 10 A*-Cs, including six As.

Roland Vata got a distinction in engineering as well as four Bs and a C. He is staying on to study engineering at the academy and plans to pursue it as a career, but also has ambitions to become a cage fighter.

Demi Gooding turned 16 on the day she got her GCSE results and went to pick them after the rush, with her balloon and rollers in her hair ready for a meal out with family and friends later that day.

Luckily, her results were better than she expected, so it was double celebrations.

She said: “I really struggled in school, but I managed to get Cs in English and maths so I’m really happy with that.

“It’s a lot better than I was expecting, I got all Us in my mock exams and have been working really hard since.”

She has an apprenticeship in hairdressing at Look Fantastic in Crayford and will be going to college one day a week in Bexley.

She was joined by her cousin Mia Wallis who will be getting her results next year.

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Head teacher Sharon Pritchard said: “We are thrilled with the outstanding results achieved by Year 11 students at Dartford Grammar School for Girls.

“The school is delighted to have recorded an exceptional number of high grades, with previous excellent school records broken.

“This includes over three quarters of all students achieving at least 5 A*/A grades and over 92% of all grades at A*-B. 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.”

Natasha Gill, securing 12 A* and A grades, said: “I worked hard and got what I wanted. Hard work pays off!”

Irina Raychaudhuri, Jodie McMillan and Lauren Miller, all aged 16, between them achieved 30 A* grades and six A grades.

Jessica Fatoye, Bimpe Adeyemi, Aruny Jeyakumaran, all aged 16, scooped 30 A* grades and seven A grades all together.

Mayfield Grammar School

A whopping 97% of Mayfield students achieved 5A*-C grades including English and maths at GCSE while 64.66% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate.

Head teacher Elaine Wilson said: “We are extremely proud of our students; 13.4% of all entries were at the coveted A* grade with 48.2% of results being A*-A.

“Our results show improvement in our students’ achievements from previous years. 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.

Ashleigh Wise achieved five A*s, two As and two Bs. Abigail Clark got a tremendous 10 A*s, one A and one B.

Stephanie Dowle scooped six A*s, two As and two Bs, and Lucy Page got four A*s and six As.

Rebecca Jeffrey also achieved four A* and six As, while Holly Hinks had great success with eight A* and three As.

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

Pupils at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys produced some excellent GCSE results this year with 98% achieving five or more A* - C GCSE grades including English and maths.

Andy Williamson, the school’s head teacher who leaves after seven years at the end of the week, was delighted to sign off on a high.

He said: “This is without doubt due to the positive attitude, hard work and natural ability of the students together with the support from their subject teachers and the excellent relationships that they developed with them and the school.”

The school reinforced its engineering reputation with over half the students gaining and A* in maths and well over three quarters of the biology, chemistry and physics results being A* or A grades.

There were many outstanding individual performances but Tom Clark, Dan Gosal, Jack Groom, Christian Smalley, Samuel Stedman, Matthew Varley and James Weaver all achieved multiple A* grades on their result sheets.

Thamesview School

Thamesview School sustained its high standards this year with 54% of Year 11 students achieving A*-C grades in English and maths.

Head teacher Harry Ingram said: “I am very pleased that our students have responded to a more rigorous exam system with hard work and high expectations – 72% of our Year 11 students secured a C+ English grade and 65% achieved a C+ maths.

“Well done to all our students this year who have succeeded.

“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.

“Thank you also to parents and carers for their continued support.”

Pupils who did particularly well include Lucy Smith and Carlos De Andres Quevedo who achieved 13 A* - C grades each.

Lauren Yates, Caitlin Turner, Ben Smith, Luke Dennard, Chloe Sharp, Kellie Homewood, Tanya Hills, Chloe Clerkson all got 12 A* - Cs.

Lauren Yates, from Gravesend, is off to grammar school to study government and politics and literature.

She said: “I’ve got mostly A*s and As which is better than what I was expecting, a couple of them I wish I had done better in like French but overall I’m chuffed.

“GCSEs are nothing like the real world, half the knowledge I am never going to use again. We could be testing people better, things like physics while it’s good to know, it isn’t going to help you get a job or the experience to get a job.”

Abdul-Hady Amhan, 16, from Gravesend, only came to the UK from Syria two years ago. He is hoping to go to Northfleet Technology College to study finance, business studies and IT.

He said: “My results were quite good and I’m really surprised. I didn’t quite expect to get such good grades. I passed English and maths and even got a B. I’m going out with my family and friends to celebrate.”

The Leigh Academy

The Leigh Academy recorded its best ever results with 80% of pupils achieving a C grade or higher in English, 70% in maths and 65% of the Year 11 cohort securing a C grade or better in both of these essential subjects.

A statement issued by the academy said ‘the record-breaking results were testimony to the hard work and dedication of students and staff and the ongoing support of parents and carers. The Leigh is proud to celebrate this success with all stakeholders’.

A higher number of students also achieved A*A grades with twins Zac and Amy Best amongst them. Zac achieved 12 GCSEs seven of which were A*A, while his sister achieved six at A*A.

There was also success for Jessica Ritson, who achieved 12 GCSEs (5 at A*A) and Charlotte Roberts, who passed 14 GCSEs (8 at A*A).

Simon Beamish, chief executive of Leigh Academies Trust said: “Our academies’ results this year are simply stunning. Across the board and in a wide range of subjects, scores have risen making this group of Year 11s the most successful on record.

“The high achievements of staff and students demonstrate the power of formal working across one of the region’s most successful multi-academy trusts. We look forward to welcoming many of our Year 11s back into one of our sixth forms in September.”

Leigh UTC

Principal Steve Leahey said: “I am very proud of all our Year 11 GCSE students reaching their potential across all subjects at the UTC.

“I am particularly pleased with their achievements in English and mathematics.
“Excellent progress has been made by students from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those with special educational needs.

“One of our core aims is to get more girls into engineering and IT. Our girls have excelled this year and will be future role models for those choosing STEM careers”.

The statement from the utc said that following excellent Post 16 results, and the large number of students being employed in jobs within engineering and IT or going to university, they were delighted.

It added: “As this is our first year of results, it’s extremely impressive how the UTC is developing. We will be taking our first students from age 11 in September 2017.”

Statistics for pupils included: English A*-C 64%, maths A*-C 62%, combined English and maths A*-C 50%, further maths A*-C 100%, engineering double award A*-C 100%, IT double award A*-C 100%, art A*-C 65%.

Gad's Hill

Deputy head Elliot Fisher, 16, from Shorne, racked up three A*s, as well as four As, two Bs and a C. After taking his A-levels at Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School, he plans to take a degree before considering his career options.

Gabby Hind, 16 and from Strood, was thrilled with her two A*s, five As, two Bs and one C. She has won a place at Rainham Mark Grammar School, and after university plans on becoming a human rights lawyer.

Budding actress and Deputy Head Natasha Kinsman, 16, from Maidstone, was also triumphant with one A*, four As and five B grades. She goes on to study for A-levels at Oakwood Park Grammar School and aspires to be an actress or psychologist.

Saint George’s Church of England School

Head teacher Stephen Carey said: “We are very proud that Saint George’s students have again this year exceeded all benchmarks and expectations at both Key Stage 4 and 5. Once again our value added score, that is the progress that all students make during their time here, is expected to be far above the national average.

“We are delighted to report a further increase in the number of our students achieving the highest possible grades. Indeed, 35% of all Key Stage 4 entries achieved A*-B grades and 95% of Year 13 students gained access to their first choice university, many of which belong to the Russell Group. 60% of students in Year 11 achieved A*-C in English and maths and 94% of students made at least 3 levels of progress in English.

"The provisional new Progress 8 measure further confirms the outstanding progress that our year 11 students have made, appropriately reflecting the inclusive ethos of our school.

“Our warmest congratulations go to all students as indeed does my sincere thanks to our incredibly hard working, committed and talented staff for helping all of our students achieve of their very best.”

High achievers included Will Buller, who achieved five A*s and four As, while Abim Akinyosoye scooped six As and three Bs. Jack Reeves got two A*s and eight As.