Pupils from across west Kent are collecting their GCSE results this morning as early indications show there is a national dip in top grades.

There's a twist in the tale this year as Maths and English grades move from the established letter-based grading structure to a 0-9 scale.

The new system, which is explained here, is intended to reward the higher achieving pupils and make exams harder.

But critics have said the staggered change is not only confusing to parents and pupils but to employers, who might overlook the new grades.

According to national statistics just 3% of pupils achieved a grade 9. Click here to see how pupils elsewhere in the county have done.

Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone

Fred Duffield achieved five A* grades and grade 9 in Maths, English Language and English Literature.

Joining him in achieving the top mark in both English and Maths was Joseph Rayner.

Daniel Miller also achieved a grade 9 in Maths along with straight A*/A grades in all other subjects with Anthony Booth gaining a grade 9 in Maths and seven A*/A grades.

Adam Crawford, Emanuel Fanthome-Hodgson, James Glasson, George Gradwell, Ben Homewood, Danny Jones, Evan Lewis, Robert Mills, Tom Place, Joseph Smy, Daniel Turner also gained at least eight A*/A grades.

Headmaster Kevin Moody said: "Our students have done really well in what has been a challenging period of time in terms of significant reforms to our GCSE system and they deserve our congratulations."

Cornwallis Academy

Cornwallis Academy’s results reinforced the upward trend in pupils attaining top marks, with a 90% pass rate in triple science, sport, and performing arts - including music, drama and dance - and a 100% pass rate in Mandarin and food technology.

Ella Standen from Headcorn was thrilled with her eight A* and A grades, and Robert Hammond from Staplehurst obtained 10 A* and A grades. His twin brother David also did well, with six A grades and five Bs.

Isabelle Linney-Drouet, headmistress, said: “I am pleased with this set of results that students, parents and staff can rightly be proud of. Congratulations to them all.”

New Line Learning Academy

Just over half of the 112 students at New Line Learning Academy took a grade 4 to 9 English and 48% for maths.

Around a quarter of students got an A or A* including Emily Kiely who received grades 7in both English subjects, 6 in maths three Bs and two distinction* a distinction, and an AS in creative writing.

Paul Murphy, headteacher, said: “Our students can be justly proud of their results which highlight the hard work and determination that they have expressed throughout the year. I would also like to thank Jane Hadlow for all of her hard work in the previous academic year.”

Maidstone Grammar School

Pupils at Maidstone Grammar School had another year of strong results with 43% all grades being A or above.

More than 30 students took 5 A* or 8 grades or better with seven students: Oliver Collins, Phillip Hopkins, Kit Hung-Lee, Daniel Little, Alfie Newland, Robert Sunnucks and Cagri Ustaoglu gaining at least 10 A*s.

Phillip Hopkins was the first MGS student to achieve a new grade 9 in English Language,

English Literature and mathematics, and Kit-Hung Lee was top scholar achieving 11 A*/8+ grades.

Mark Tomkins, headmaster, said: “We are immensely proud of the achievements of Year 11 which is a result of a combination of hard work by the students and dedicated teaching by staff, particularly at a time with changes to the assessment arrangements.”

St Simon Stock Catholic School

For its fifth consecutive year St Simon Stock Catholic School has taken strong GCSE results with 74% of students getting grades 9 to 4 in English and maths.

Twenty nine students got an average of grade A or higher across all their subjects, including Temi Awogboro, Freya Bailes, Lois Buco, Riwin Frederick, Sergio Niblett-Morales, Joseph Nixon, Libbie Raines and Daniel Smith.

Brendan Wall, principal, said: “We have a strong ‘can-do’ culture at St Simon Stock; this year’s outcomes provide clear evidence of the exceptional progress that students can make through hard work, determination and having a growth mindset.”

The Maplesden Noakes School

Staff and pupils are celebrating after seeing more than 63% of their students getting a grade 4 or above in English and maths.

Outstanding students include Cameron Clay, who achieved grade 9s in both English Language and English Literature and Subin Gurung who got a grade 8 in maths as well as five A grades.

Elle Divine achieved a grade 9 in English Literature along with A grades in history and business studies.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls saw 38% of students getting eight of more A* or A grades, or the numbered equivalent.

Special mention goes to Victoria Watts who achieved 3 grade 9s and 9 A*. Also Lydia Watson who received 3 grade 9s, 8A* and 1 A together with Abbey Gibson who received 9A*, two 9s and one 8.

Headteacher, Deborah Stanley, said: ‘I’d like to congratulate all the students on this excellent set of results, especially in English and Mathematics.

“These results reflect the huge amount of work completed by our students over their GCSE courses, together with the support and encouragement of the teaching and support staff.

Valley Park

Students at Valley Park were celebrating a good batch of results, with two thirds gaining a pass in both English and maths a 9 point increase on last year.

High achievers included Megan Barratt, Joshua Rogers, Mollie Ruler, Kyle Siwek and Adam Tweedie who all gained top grades in both English and mathematics.

Adam, from Barming, said: “It is just such a relief knowing it is all over and all the hard work has paid off. Today is a good day.”

Onisha Lama got the grades she needed to go on to study fashion French and psychology at Invicta Grammar School. The 16-year-old, from Grove Green, said: “I was panicking over the summer so it was an amazing feeling to get the results I did.”

Headteacher Vic Ashdown said: “An increase in our own pass rate to 66% represents and outstanding achievement for our students and their families.

”

Holmesdale Technology College, Snodland

English and maths results have both significantly improved at The Holmesdale School, with almost 20% more students achieving A*-C than in previous years.

There were notable performances from Connor Whiteley, who achieved eight As and two Bs, Harry Gearing who achieved an A*, five As, three Bs, and a C, and April Armstrong-Taylor, who achieved two A*s, three As, three Bs, and a C.

Tina Bissett, headteacher, said: “Most importantly this set of results gives many more Holmesdale students the opportunity to study their course of choice next year.”

The Hayesbrook School, Tonbridge

Overhauled English and maths qualifications didn’t stop 65% of pupils getting a grade for and above in the two subjects.

As well as an increase in the core subjects, results from individual subject areas show strong performance in physics, geography, history, technology, graphics, hospitality and catering, performing arts and Spanish.

The percentage of total grades at A* to B (or equivalent) has also increased to 39%.

Daniel Hatley, principal said: “Our initial data shows excellent increases in attainment despite the introduction of GCSE courses that have been reformed in order to ensure increased rigour. This means students have achieved even more through even harder work."

Tonbridge School

Tonbridge School had another strong set of GCSEs with 61% results being A* and all candidates getting at least two A grades.

There was an overall 99.9% A* to C pass rate but there were no entries this year for subjects using the new ‘9 to 1’ grading scheme.

Tim Haynes, headmaster said: “The boys are to be congratulated on these results and I would also like to pass on my thanks to staff and parents.”

Sutton Valence School

Students were in high spirits at Sutton Valence School, celebrating their school’s best ever GCSE results, including a 70% increase in the top A* grades. The pupils also celebrated achieving a five-year best in the percentage of exams marked A* to B, at 77%.

Twenty percent of pupils got four or more A* grades, including Ellen Crombie, who got 11, Alex Webb with nine, and Olivia Smith and Tiggy Teare who each got seven.

Bruce Grindlay, headmaster, said: “These results are exceptional. This year’s GCSE pupils should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.

“Their dedication, and that of the teaching staff have paid off, and their GCSE results bode well for their future as they take the next step in their education.”

Invicta Grammar School

Invicta Grammar School pupils took home more than 700 A or A* grades this year.

More than 63% took top marks with more than half taking 7, 8 or 9 grades in the new grading system for English and maths.

Notable students include Maddie Brant, who got 8 A* grades and 26 out of 27 points for English and maths and Meesa Rai achieved 7 A* grades and 26 points in English and maths.

Julie Derrick, headteacher, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our students and staff. Their results are a testament to their dedication and commitment in a time when we have huge changes in educational reform, with moving grade boundaries and substantially more rigour.”

Benenden School

More than half of all the results attained by girls at Benenden School were A*, a slight rise on the previous year.

Overall 522 qualifications or 53% of all grades were A*, a slight rise on the previous year.

Caitlin Gluckstein achieved 13 GCSEs, all at A*. Three others achieved 12 A*, five girls are celebrating 11 A* and five more have 10 A* grades each.

A thrilled Caitlin said: “There were some exams I came out of that I thought I’d failed completely, and by last night I’d managed to convince myself I’d failed everything, so I wasn’t expecting much - this was a nice surprise!”

In addition, two girls’ Further Maths papers were so strong that they were each awarded Double A* - placing them in the top 10 per cent nationally.

Samantha Price, headteacher, said: “I am absolutely delighted by these results and am full of admiration and pride for the girls who thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success."

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Three pupils achieved the clean sweep of an A* in all subjects and 9 in English language, English literature and maths at Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School.

Of 145 pupils just over 99% took A to C grades or 9 to 4 in the new grading system.

Richard Smith, assistant headmaster, said: “The pupils have done tremendously well in a period of great upheaval in education, and we are very proud of their outstanding achievements. ”

Hillview school for Girls

This year 110 students achieved the top grades in one or more subjects at Hillview School for Girls, with 90% gaining a pass - grade 4 or above - in English.

Particular congratulations go to Libby Smith, who got a grade 9 in English language, English literature, and maths, as well as an A*, Distinction* and five As in other subjects. Ella Alemayehu-Lambert got an 8 and two 7s in English and maths, as well as three A*s and three As.

Hilary Burkett, headmistress, said: “I am immensely proud of the achievements of all Hillview GCSE students this year. They have shown high levels of commitment and dedication throughout the year, and are now reaping the rewards for their efforts.”

Bethany School, Goudhurst

Concerns over the reforms of GCSEs were pushed aside as Bethany School pupils achieved outstanding results. The grades far exceeded national expectations, with 58% achieving A* to B grades.

Notable successes include Tireni Odubiyi who achieved nine A*s and an A, Tom Connell and Maria-Bisila Dougan, who both achieved four A*s and five As, and Georgina Hill who received three A*s and four As.

Francie Healy, headmaster, said: “I am ecstatic with the superb GCSE results of our impressive year 11 pupils. Our hard working, dedicated, and pupil-centred staff provide the support needed to ensure all pupils make exceptional progress, resulting in excellent outcomes.”

Mascalls Academy, Paddock Wood

It was another year of strong GCSE results at Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood, with 85% of students achieving a grade 4 or above in English language and English literature, and 67% achieving the same in maths.

Standout performances included Jack Curtis, who achieved five A*s, three As, and two Bs, Elspeth Smith who achieved five A*s, five As and a B, and Megan Hardman, whose hard work was rewarded with five A*s, three As, two Bs, and a C.

Wayne Barnett, principal, said: “I am delighted with this set of results for both students and staff. To achieve the best set of academic results in the history of Mascalls, for the second year running, and under a far more demanding core curriculum, is a real success story.

“Students and staff have worked extremely hard to achieve this level of success. I would like to congratulate the class of 2017 for their commitment and positivity throughout year 11".

Sevenoaks School

Of 157 year 11 students, 94% were handed A* or A grades. Sixty one students – over a third of the year group – gained ten A*s or more each.

All but 20 results out of 1,611 examinations sat were awarded grade B or above.

All students took IGCSEs in Mathematics, English Language and three sciences. The IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is a two-year programme externally set and marked by the University of Cambridge.

Dr Katy Ricks, headteacher, said: “These results are excellent and a superb achievement for both students and teachers. We are delighted that our students will start the IB Diploma Programme with such strong qualifications.”

The Judd School

More than half of all results were graded A*, 8 or nine for the fourth successive year.

Over 90% of all students achieved the equivalent of 5 A grades or better and almost all students got a grade 5 or higher in English and maths.

Overall 20 students took 10 or more A*, including Hammad Ansari, Guy Ashcroft-Lury, Lachlan Bradley, Deepro Choudhury and George Coote.

Jon Wood, headteacher, said: “I am delighted to congratulate our students once more on their achievements at GCSE, which are a fitting reward for their hard work. It is easy to get caught up in the achievements of our very brightest, but results like these are not achieved without almost all students doing their very best.”

Wrotham School

The introduction of tougher English and maths GCSEs didn’t stop the Wrotham School improving its results this year.

The school saw 85% of candidates achieved a pass grade or higher in English and 77% in mathematics.

Notable individual achievements include Ivor Holmes who took five As and three A*s

grades; Oliver Cox who achieved two A grades and four A*grades one year early at

the age of 15.

The Lenham School (formerly Swadelands School)

Students at The Lenham School were celebrating a strong set of results with 44% of students gaining a pass in both English and maths, up 11% on the previous year.

Notable high achievers include Ethan Collen, Reece Smith, Leah White and Talia Pritchard.

Chris Foreman, head of school, said: “This is the first year of the phased introduction of new GCSEs with English and Mathematics reporting on the new 1 to 9 grading system. This is also the first set of results for The Lenham School, which opened in March 2017. The fantastic results that our year 11 students have achieved is

"The fantastic results that our year 11 students have achieved is testament to the hard work and dedication they have shown throughout the course of the year.”

St Augustine Academy

As the brown envelopes were cautiously opened there were tears of joy and group hugs as students celebrated top grades.

Jason Feldwick, academy principal, said that he was delighted that students had gained some really excellent results and had a special mention for Betty Bastable who had achieved a stunning list of 5 A*, 3 A and the new top grade 9 in English and Maths.

She was joined by a group of other top achievers; Bianka Babrian, Mary Morris, Jonathan Atkins and Napsugar Novak who also gained clutches of superb grades.

Overall, 54% of students gained 5 A* - C grades with 69% achieving grade 4 or higher in English and 50% with Maths at grade 4 or higher.

Broomhill Bank School

Students at Broomhill Bank took qualifications than ever before in the school’s 70-year history.

The special school, for autistic students with communication and interaction difficulties, made a total of 132 entries at GCSE this summer with students from years 10 to 14 sitting examinations, many for the first time ever.

Students at both of the school’s sites – in Hextable and Tunbridge Wells – have been studying for two years and sat exams in June earlier this year. The school is celebrating a pass rate of 89.1% with the students, all of whom have significant special needs, achieving results as high as Grade A.

Emma Leitch, executive head, said: “Our students have done enormously well not only to cope with the rigours of their courses but also to face the challenge of an examination system which does not favour them. They have done incredibly well and everyone at the school is thrilled with their achievements”.

High Weald Academy, Cranbrook

The academy reported impressive outcomes for students who were entered for the higher tier in maths, 100% of whom achieved their targets and 50% of whom exceeded expectations.

Josh Llufrio-Elliott achieved grade 8s in English and maths plus 3A*s, 2As and 2, distinctions, while Kiaya Bailey gained ten strong grades and surpassed her targets in nine subjects.

The Caroline Longhurst, principal, said: “The academy congratulates all year 11 students on their success in the exams and wishes them all the best for the future on their chosen post-16 pathways.”

Kent College

Kent College saw 51% of all grades awarded at an A or A*.

In particular, 100% of students studying further maths secured either an A* or A and 81% achieved an A* or A in English Literature.

Julie Lodrick, headmistress said: “I am delighted with the results. The girls should be very proud of their individual achievements which are testament to their hard work and dedication.

“I feel that our results reflect our commitment to a broad and balanced education and our nurturing approach to ensure that every girl fulfils her potential. The staff and I wish the girls every success as they embark on the next stage of their education in the Sixth Form."

Cranbrook School

Cranbrook students returning from their holiday achieved 55.75% A* to A grades.

Twelve pupils achieved nine or more A*s or or Level 8-9s and half of all students got a grade 6 or above in the new English GCSE.

John Weeds, headmaster, said: “Despite the uncertainty nationally, Cranbrook students and staff can be proud of their performance at GCSE this summer. The new exams in English and Maths are clearly tougher, but our students have risen to the challenge very well indeed.”

KMFM's GCSE surgery

To help you out and let you know what happens after you open the envelope, Glen Scott will be on The Hit List on kmfm today and tomorrow with a special GCSE Surgery.

From 7pm until 10pm tune in to find out what your options might be after you have picked up your results and hear what comes next.

Students will be on the show to share their experience with listeners along with an official from Canterbury College who will be able to answer questions.

To get in touch click @kmfmofficial on Twitter or use the hashtag #GCSESurgery

Click here to listen and for more information about the show.