The wait is over for GCSE pupils as they collect their exam results today.

Our reporters are at schools across Medway as teens open those all-important brown envelopes and find out their grades.

Pupils faced harder exams in English and maths this year as the government aims to drive up standards.

And today's results also see a change in the way some exams are graded. They'll be done by number rather than letter.

Walderslade Girls' School:

Delighted pupil Shelby Baker got a 9 in English literature, a 7 in maths and a B in science.

She said: "I feel really good in going to go to sixth form now at my school to study English literature, psychology, maths and ethics.

"I want to go to university to study English and one day hopefully I will be a journalist. I will definitely be celebrating later."

Fellow pupil Connie Quarrington got a 7 in English, 7 in maths and C in science.

She said: "I'm going to go to my sixth form now to study performing arts.

"I'm amazed, I don't know how I managed to do it. There was a lot of pressure but I've done it now."

Jasmine Reilly got top marks with an A* in PE, She also got 7s in English and maths and a C in science.

She said: "I'm heading to Gillingham Football Academy to do PE and play for the team.

"I'm excited and nervous, it's going to different. I'm happy to celebrate with a McDonald's breakfast to be honest, it's going to be a good day."

Head teacher Louise McGowan said: "What's been amazing this year is the 9 grade in English literature that we achieved.

"Only 3% of the whole country will get that and to have a Walderslade girl be apart of that is simply excellent.

"I want the girls to realise how special they are and how much they can achieve."

Thomas Aveling School:

Twins Dylan and Jamie White received almost identical grades in their GCSEs.

Both gained 7s in maths, 6s in English language and 5s in English literature.

A number of youngsters achieved the highest grade in maths and English.

Nearly all gained at least five pass grades with a high proportion being C and above.

Head teacher Paul Jackson said: ”I am delighted for the students and believe everyone has achieved the grades they need to progress into our sixth form, if they wish, or to move onto college or an apprenticeship.

"Education is about opening doors for young people and we have certainly done that again this year.

"Special mention should go to those 11 students who have achieved at least 5 A*/A grades.

"I would also like to thank the staff who give up their lunchtimes, before and after school, weekends and holidays to support our students to achieve their very best."

Rebecca Kitchen, 16, received a nine in English literature, a 7 in English language, an A in business and an A in ICT.

She wants to eventually go to law school and become a solicitor.

Greenacre Academy:

Star pupil Billy Bonifas got a 7in maths, 6 in English and B in science.

He said: "I can't believe I came top of the school, it's fantastic and I'm really excited to start sixth form now. I hope to be involved in accountancy in the future.

"I just feel like all the pressure is gone now, it was hard work but it's paid off.

"I think I'm going to head home and try and get some money from my dad now I think I deserve it."

Jude Mulford has a scientific future in mind after scooping 6s in English and maths, a B in science and an A in geography.

He said: "I'm feeling good and happy I'm going to study forensics at sixth form which will be good."

Fellow pupil Praise Popoola, who achieved a 6 in maths, 7 in English and a C in science, is off to Fort Pitt sixth form to study chemistry physics and literature.

He said: "I'm really proud of myself getting into the sixth form I wanted."

Freddie Box, who recorded a 7 in maths and a distinction in PE, said: "I'm going to sixth form to do the football academy, ICT, Business and PE.

"I'm happy, of course I'm chuffed and it's nice to see my hard work in sport pay off. I hope to go into coaching eventually and I can't wait to start the football academy it will be hard but a laugh."

Head teacher Kerri Edge said: "I'm really pleased with the boys and the progress they have made this year, it's amazing to watch.

"We are so successful with apprenticeships and this year sixth form places as well. I couldn't be prouder."

The Howard School:

For English, 66% of students achieved a grade 4 or above and 60% achieved the same in Maths.

Michael Austin and Nathan Collins were top of the class receiving a grade 9 in one subject each.

Michael was top of the school in Maths and also achieved two 7s in English, 3As, 2Bs and 1C. He said: “I’m very happy, I had 21 exams in July so it was hard work.

“I’m coming back here in September to study chemistry, physics and biology. I want to go to uni to become a vet."

The 16-year-old also achieved a 5 in maths 2As and 4Bs. Headteacher Terry Millar was delighted with the results, saying: “It went extremely well, "I’m very very pleased.

"Particularly with English and maths and with all the changes, students and staff have done extremely well and shown great resilience in the face of that."

Rochester Math:

Head teacher Eliot Hodges has said he is "over the moon".

He feels the new grades in English and maths were challenging but "everyone was at the same disadvantage".

The highest individual performances were recorded by William Farrell, who achieved 14 A*s, a 9 in maths and another two 9s in English.

He said: “Taking the harder tests in English and maths meant we had to work a lot harder. "But it will get easier in the next few years as all subjects are marked the same.

"This year, I felt we were the guinea pigs.”

Rainham School for Girls:

A total of 76% of the pupils achieved the equivalent of a C grade or above in English and 64% achieved the same result in maths.

Megan Hartley was a stand out pupil, managing to achieve full marks in her physics exam.

She said: “I’m over the moon. I really wanted to do well in maths and physics and I have.

“I started revising in October as I did additional science exams so I had a lot to do. I will either go in to science or theatre. I’d love to work for Nasa.”

Among the other high achievers were Urszula Staniszewska with 5 A*-A, Jessica Fearne with 9 A*-A grades and Olivia Powell gained 8 A*-A grades.

Rochester Grammar School:

Hoo resident Eleanor Morecroft was delighted with her 4 As, 4Bs and C.

She is looking forward to going to sixth form to study English, history and politics.

She said: “I am just so happy. I didn’t get any sleep last night and have been up since 4am.”

Eleanor was looking forward to going to the West End tonight (Thurs) to see the musical “Wicked”.

Her friend Imy Saunders was equally thrilled.

She said: “I have done so much better than I thought. I have been sick with nerves.”

Imy passed the newly-graded English and maths with good marks and also got 5As and 2As. She was planning to celebrate at a family barbecue.

Sarah Barraclough was one of the school’s top performers but was so shocked she could not read out her results.

She said: “ I’m just shaking and lost for words.”

She is going on to take A-levels in maths, further maths, chemistry and biology - and is on course to take up a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

There will be further coverage of the GCSE results in this coming Monday's Medway Messenger.