THE anxious wait is over for thousands of GCSE students in Kent and other parts of the country.

Girls are still performing better than boys but boys are narrowing the gender gap in achievement, according to the results just published.

Indications are that many of Kent's secondary schools have done even better than last year. Pass rates and those achieving top grades continue to move in the right direction.

For many students it is a time of celebrations as they move on to the courses they have chosen in schools or college sixth forms.

Others have the grades needed to pursue vocational training alongside or prior to employment. For a few it means rethinking their options as they have done better - or worse - than expected.

Nationally the pass rates (grades A*-G) has increased but full performance tables for Kent’s 101 secondary schools won’t be published until the winter.

Among this year’s success stories are The Ramsgate School which achieved a 15 per cent pass rate compared to a dismal four per cent last year.

Sittingbourne College is also celebrating after doubling their five A*-C pass rate in just two years. In 2002 16 per cent were achieving 5 A*-C GCSE’s but this year 32 per cent reached the same target.

In Maidstone The Cornwallis School achieved its best ever results this year with a pass rate of 69 per cent. Swan Valley School in Dartford improved to 22 per cent.

Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey achieved a 25 per cent rate and Tunbridge Wells High School a pass rate of 30 per cent.

Many of the county’s grammar schools maintained their 100 per cent pass rate as expected.

Kent County Council’s cabinet member for school organisation Cllr Leyland Ridings, said: “Congratulations to every student collecting results today. The early indications show value added at all levels and evidence of great achievement across the board. Well done to everybody involved.”

KM-fm's Tom Esslemont has more...