Students receive their long-awaited GCSE results today - a week after A-level results day was mired in scandal over exam grades.

Across Maidstone , Malling and the Weald , many pupils will be returning to schools for the first time since they were closed in March as the UK responded to the threat of coronavirus.

Last Thursday saw a wave of anger from students and teachers alike after grades predicted by teachers in lieu of this summer's exams were downgraded by Ofqual's "standardised" algorithm.

Despite education secretary Gavin Williamson initially defending the system, the Government performed a U-turn and now this year's GCSE results will be based on teacher-assessed grades.

At Maidstone Grammar School 57% of all grades were awarded at grade 7-9, with 98% of all marks being grades 4-9.

Some 17 students achieved six or more grade 9 passes, and five students achieved 10 or more grade 9s.

Twins Nathan and Dan Gray, both 16, had been keeping their eyes peeled on the turmoil surrounding the A-level results and the Government’s subsequent U-turn.

Watch: Maidstone Grammar School pupil Toby Henley reflects on his GCSE results

Nathan, who achieved four 9s, four 8s, two 7s and two 5s, said: “It caused a slight anxiety, but because of general uproar that was caused, it kind of settled me because I knew something would have to change, so I thought that hopefully by next Thursday it will be fine.”

He added that he signed a few petitions, urging the Government to change the grading system.

Dan, who secured four 9s, three 8s and three 7s, said: “I had tweet alerts up and I was following the guy that launched a legal case against the Government. You could see people weren’t going to back down.”

Both were pleased with their results and will be staying at the grammar school and Nathan hopes to go into the army while Dan would like to work in software engineering.

Speaking about the last few months, Nathan said: “Everything has been fine because I haven’t had to work towards anything so I’ve just been sat at home doing nothing.”

Having each other through these unique times has been a comfort, both said.

“It’s good to have someone to go through it with,” Nathan added.

Toby Henley, 16, achieved one 8, one 6 and the rest of his grades were sevens.

He said: “I did well, I’m proud of myself for my results but I’m also gutted that I didn’t actually get to do the exams because I feel like I could have done a bit better, it’s just that little bit extra.”

When asked how he has found the last few months, with school closures and uncertainty around grades, Toby said: “Very stressful, it’s the not knowing that’s absolutely killed me, not knowing what the system is going to be like, what’s going to happen but I’m glad it’s over now.”

Watch: Hillview School head teacher reacts to results

Speaking about A-level results debacle last week, where students had their predicted grades lowered because of the algorithm, he said: “I was very nervous, because I’ve got loads of friends in A-level that were telling me about how they got lowered.” He says when he heard the news about the Government’s U-turn, he was “over the moon”.

Looking to the future, Toby will study geography, sociology, economics and English literature, and hopes to become a barrister.

Owen Gough, 16, is going to MidKent College to study electrical insulation and hopes to work in house building.

He achieved three 9s, six 8s, two 7s and one 4, and said he had been looking forward to meeting his friends today.

Owen said: “I feel like I’ve done very well and I’m looking forward to starting my next year. Even if I’m only going to do one subject at college, if I do have to change my mind in the future, my high grades will help me.

“As I’m going to college I haven’t been nervous at all, and I’ve been really excited to be honest, and especially just to see my mates because we haven’t been able to see each other.”

Speaking outside the school, head teacher Mark Tomkins said: “Today has gone really well because on Monday we had clarity from the Government on what was going to happen, it then allowed us to be clear with out students and be supportive of them. The results today have been reflected of their hard work.”

He said he was “relieved” by the Government’s u-turn. “We should never have been in this position, but we can now move forward. To make some changes right at the last minute before results were published can never happen again.

“I’m really pleased the younger generation have come out and challenged and pressurised the Government to reflect and review their decision. England had to follow suit.

“There has been an apology made by the Government to students but we need to apologise also to the teachers because they have also worked extremely hard and had to react to so many of these changes and that hard work needs to be acknowledged as well. The focus of the school is now to support its students in receiving their grades and helping them to secure whatever pathway they have chosen."

"Despite the unprecedented times, and the fact that the students did not sit any examinations, I am extremely proud of what they have achieved with the results still reflecting the hard work that both the students and staff have put in over the last few years."

At Sutton Valence School 99% of the 90 student cohort achieved grades 4 to 9, while 28% received 8s and 9s.

Delighted with her results, six 8s and three 9s, Holly Clark said she felt relieved when the government ditched the unpopular algorithm.

The 16-year-old said: "It was nerve wracking watching what happened with A-levels because it was chaotic. I know the people in sixth form and it was hard to see a few of them upset because they didn't get into their uni.

"It was stressful so I'm glad they got rid of the algorithm because teachers know us the best."

Holly is looking forward to studying maths, chemistry and biology at the school's sixth form in September.

Equally as pleased, Jonny Russell said: "I got all 9s except for biology which was an 8.

"I was very pleased with my mocks in November but I could never have expected them to go up this much.

"I'm really relieved, especially after waking up this morning and thinking 'oh no today's the day'."

Jonny will stay on at Sutton Valence to study maths, physics and chemistry in sixth form.

Alex Tolhurst, who received nine grade 9s and two 7s, said: "It's been so different adapting to learning from home and having exams cancelled. Last week was a shock, as well as the Scotland results, because it seemed a bit unpredictable with what was going to happen with GCSEs.

"I think they should have changed the algorithm earlier but I'm glad they did it in the end."

Alex will also join the school's sixth form to study maths, further maths and physics.

Charlotte Farrell, who got nine grade 9s and two 8s, said: "It means a lot to be able to come in and see everyone because it feels a bit more real.

"I was weird for us because when exams were cancelled it was a lot of waiting, sitting around and no revision so it was strange."

Charlotte is looking forward to studying geography, economics and maths in sixth form.

Headmaster Bruce Grindlay said he is incredibly proud of how well his students coped through one of the 'most difficult years ever.'

Commenting on the government's decision to ditch the algorithm he felt was 'fundamentally flawed', Mr Grindlay said: "Last week was much harder because students were getting results that were simply not a reflection of their abilities and there was a lot of disappointment and confusion.

"The U-turn was a real bittersweet pill because a lot of the grades went up fantastically well so people were delighted, but universities found it hard to cope and became full very quickly so some students still didn't get the spaces they wanted.

"All of this could have been avoided with a little bit more thought."

Kent College Pembury has decided not to release its results today, however headmistress Julie Lodrick praised her pupils for their achievements.

She said: "Against a backdrop of a very different and challenging examination year, we are proud of each and every student's success at GCSE.

"There are some inspiring individual stories, and their teachers and I am extremely pleased with all they have achieved."

Among the achievements being celebrated at St Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone are the straight grade 9s in all subjects awarded to Thomas Raines, while fellow students Louise Chidley, Eve Daly, Katherine Gore, Phillip Hart, Jan Mochol, Alysa Shaikh and Nathalie Valete all achieved a number of grade 9s and achieved an average above grade 8.

Jon Malone, academy principal at St Simon Stock, said: "Our school motto is ‘Work with Love’, and never has this been more relevant than in considering the successes of our 2020 Year 11 students, their perseverance in the face of adversity and their caring, loving support of one another.

"We are immensely proud of their achievement and that their successes have been reflected in their brilliant final grades."

"Every student should be proud of what they have achieved..."

Julie Derrick, head teacher at Invicta Grammar School, welcomed the Government’s U-turn which saw grades revert to those predicted by teachers.

She said: “We employed an extremely rigorous system to generate the grades that most fairly reflected our students’ performance and we are very proud of what Year 11 students have achieved.

“This year group have been working extremely hard and each and every student should be proud of what they have achieved.”

Visiting at staggered times, staff at St Augustine Academy in Maidstone welcomed back Year 11 pupils.

Summer Beames achieved six grade 9s and 8s. She will now take up a scholarship at Sutton Valence School.

Three other girls, Boglarka Babrian, Jana Mohammed and Sarah Pilbeam, between them gained a total of 12 grade 9s, eight grade 8s, and nine grade 7s and will be heading to grammar schools next month.

The High Weald Academy in Cranbrook has decided not to release their results today but said initial figures showed that most subject areas maintained a year on year improvement, with the “tenacity” and “commitment” of students praised.

Executive principal Daniel Hatley said: "We are so pleased that our students have received the grades they deserve after such an uncertain and difficult time for them. The tenacity and commitment they have shown during their GCSE courses has been rewarded as has the hard work or staff and the support of the families we serve."

Millie Phillips and Melissa Claydon were praised for their grade 8 results in maths and Aiden McGinley for his grade 9 in science.

At Bethany School in Goudhurst, English and maths retained its 100% pass rate.

A third of the pupils who studied design technology achieved grade 9, half the pupils who sat English literature obtained the top two grades, while three quarters of the artists secured grades 7 or higher.

Top of the class is Max Brown from Cranbrook who achieved a grade 9 in every subject.

He is closely followed by Dan Akowe from Dagenham, Harry Ip from Northampton, and Sebastian Smith and Ruqaiyah Jarviton, both from Maidstone, who all achieved top grades across the board.

Headmaster Francie Healy said: “Our talented and dedicated staff have superbly guided the committed Year 11 pupils through these troubled waters.

"I am incredibly proud of every single pupil. The results obtained are both outstanding and well deserved."

"They have earned these results with their hard work and dedication..."

At Benenden School in Cranbrook, 37% of grades were 9s, and 82% of all grades were between 7 and 9.

Headmistress Samantha Price said: “The GCSE results process has certainly been smoother than last week’s A-level results and we appreciate the Government’s decision to use the centre assessed grades being made ahead of the publication of results.

“In the circumstances, this has been a fair outcome for students and I want to reassure them that, despite the very unusual circumstances of the past few months, they have earned these results with their hard work and dedication.”

Top performers were Sophie Moody-Stuart and Lavinia Webb, both of whom achieved 14 GCSEs all at the top grade -13 subjects at level 9 plus an Extended Project Qualification at A*.

Watch: Hillview School GCSE students react to results

In Tonbridge at Hillview School for Girls students were overall really pleased with their results.

Lily-May Marshall said she is ecstatic and is looking forward to staying on at the school's sixth form.

She said: “Before they announced the whole u-turn I was so nervous, I thought I was going to fail everything but when it changed I was so relieved.”

Also staying on into sixth form is Lydia Bloe, who said: “I got two 9s, three 8s and the rest are 7s so I’m very happy.

"I was very nervous when I woke up, I had butterflies and it was so weird not taking exams so it was very unpredictable.”

Charlotte Baker, who has secured a hairdressing apprenticeship, said: “I did better than I thought I would. I was nervous to begin with because I wasn't sure if I'd get the results I wanted but I did.”

Head teacher Hilary Burkett said inviting students in to collect results has helped to make it a memorable morning.

She said: “It's been six months since we last saw them so it's been really lovely and there are lots of happy faces and mini reunions going on.

“It has been a challenge, we spent a lot of time checking grades, moderating within the subjects and in the senior leadership team as well and it has been difficult to make sure each child got the grades they deserve but we believe we managed to do that."

Pupils celebrating at The Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge include Jack Stone, who achieved five 9s, three 8s and one 7, as well as Tom Noble, who was awarded two 6s, two 7s, two 8s and two 9s.

"I would like to congratulate all of them..."

Samuel Donno secured three 9s, three 8s and three 7s while Jamie Tutt was awarded four 7s, two 8s and two 9s.

The school has decided not to release its results today but said initial figures showed many subject areas maintaining a year on year improvement.

Head of school, Collette Nelson, said: "Today, our students are learning where their immense efforts over the last five years have got them and I would like to congratulate all of them as well as our dedicated staff and the parental body for their hard work."

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has congratulated students on their GCSE results in what has been a "very difficult year".

More than 15 pupils achieved "mostly 9s and 8s," according to a school spokesperson.

Head teacher Amanda Simpson said: "The excellent performances and improvements in subjects such as English language, drama, media, geography, history and maths really demonstrates the versatility of our students and I am very proud of them.

"We look forward to welcoming many of our students back to the Sixth Form to build on this excellent foundation for their A-level studies."

This year at Cornwallis Academy more than 60% of GCSE grades achieved were 4 or higher, a 5% increase from last year.

There was also a 5% increase in students achieving a "strong pass", according to the school.

As well as this, over the last two academic years, the percentage of students achieving 7-9 has more than doubled.

Mrs McMahon, head of school, said: "I am extremely proud of all our students for their hard work and dedication. During a time of such uncertainty, their resilience and self-belief has deservedly paid off."

Students celebrating today include Ollie Langmaid, who secured four 9s, three 7s and two 6s.

Hana Parsons was awarded three 9s, two 8s, one 7 and two 6s while Abigail Aldrich achieved one 9, four 8s and four 7s, while Luke Elston secured two 9s, one 8, three 7s, one 6 and one 5.

Students at The Maplesden Noakes School in Maidstone today received their results remotely and overall the school achieved a combined English and maths pass rate of 64%.

Head teacher Richard Owen said: "We are incredibly proud of our students who have achieved amazing, record breaking results, through what has been the most extraordinarily difficult time for young people. This is a wonderful achievement and reflects the incredible hard work of students and staff."

Yahya Amarzouk got four 5s, two 6s and an 8; Amelia Clay achieved five 7s, two 8s and one 9; Melissa Dupuy earned three 5s, a 6, three 8s and two 9s; and Rhys Nolan got one 5 and 6, three 7s, two 8s and one 9.

At Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maidstone head teacher Kevin Moody said: "I am delighted and thrilled to congratulate our Year 11 students who have gained the grades necessary to proceed to the next stage of their lives."

Aylesford School head teacher Tanya Kelvie said today has been all about celebrating with students and less about figures.

She added: "Our students have secured fantastic results in what has been a very challenging year. I am very proud of all of our students and what they have achieved and the character they have shown in very challenging times."

Isobel Nicholson achieved grade 6s and 7s across the board and is going on to study A-levels.

Tiegan Philpott is celebrating grade 9s in English language and physics and grade 8s in history and art. She will study English, history, criminology and art at A-level.

Hayden Exall achieved grade 8s in French and Maths and a grade 9 in History.

Valley Park School celebrated with Year 11 students today in what was their first morning in school since March.

Although examination results were made available to everyone online, the majority of students chose to come into school to collect their results, to see their peers and to enrol for Sixth Form courses.

Valley Park arranged for results to be collected outside and in a socially distanced environment, so that students could celebrate this milestone with their friends. Teachers were thrilled to be able to share in students’ successes after many months apart.

Head teacher Margaret Hutchinson said: “This Year 11 cohort has been remarkable in what it has overcome.

“Even though BTEC results were withdrawn late in the day yesterday, our students have arrived today with a real enthusiasm and sense of positivity.

"I am delighted that so many of them have chosen to remain with us next year after everything they have been through and their resilience will be an inspiration to the rest of our school community when it returns in September.”

The school plans has created a ‘roll of honour’ on its website and, in view of the recently announced BTEC review process, intends to update this as students’ grades change.

More to follow

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