Thousands of GCSE students across Medway found out if they had made the grade when they got their results this morning.

Envelopes were ripped open at schools across the Towns, amid expectations they would report record results.

It was the culmination of months of hard work and a nervous time for about 3,500 pupils and their parents.

It is estimated one in four GCSEs will be awarded an A grade, and the pass rate is expected to rise for the 24th year. Last year 69.1% of entries were awarded at least a C grade.

Among the first to pick up their results in Medway were students at Strood Academy.

Danielle Orpin, 16, from Strood was one of the highest achievers - with all her grades being A*s, As and Bs.

She said: "I was really nervous walking up because I wasn't expecting to do nearly this well. Science was big achievement - I got two Bs and I don't know how I did that."

Alexandra Scott, 16, from Strood, achieved A*s in dance and religious studies and a clutch of other top awards.

She collected her results with mum, Marina, who said: "She really worked so hard. She was study, study, study. I kept saying you need to take a break, but she was absolutely determined."

More than 70% of pupils at Strood Academy got five grades at A* to C.

At The Howard School, in Rainham, head teacher Paul Morris said: "We've had 90% of students getting A* to C, which is an improvement on last year. It's been a great year for us."

Samuel Balogun, (pictured above) 16, of Rock Avenue, Gillingham, who got two A*s, eight As and two Bs, has not yet decided where he study his A-levels.

He said: "I'm really surprised I got the A*, especially in English. At the start, my friends and I just wanted to pass it so I've done better than I expected. I want to study business studies at university."

Ryan Caston, 16, of Marshall Road, Rainham, who got an A in English, said: "I did better than I expected. I passed science, which was a surprise. Overall I'm very pleased."

Meanwhile, experts warn many of those who received their GCSE results could drop out of the education system because of cuts to careers advice and the Educational Maintenance Allowance.

For full coverage, don't miss Monday's Medway Messenger.