Teenagers nervously tore open their brown envelopes yesterday as thousands received their GCSE results.

Hard work paid off for those who got the grades they had hoped for and there has been plenty of celebrations across the Towns.

Students at Rochester Grammar secured the school’s best ever GCSE results, with 70% of grades at A* or A, 76% of students achieving five or more A* or A grades, and 100% of the cohort achieving five A*-C grades including English and maths.

The school has seen a 10% improvement in the top grades over the past three years.

Among those celebrating was Dani Kennedy, aged 16, who achieved seven A* grades and a A. She said: “I didn’t think I’d get an A* in maths. I’m ecstatic I just can’t put it into words.”

Principle Gwynn Bassan said he was beaming with pride, adding: “Every single student is to be congratulated for their truly outstanding achievements.”

Just across the road at Rochester Math School, Year 11 pupils were celebrating another year of excellent results. More than half of the 172 youngsters were awarded five or more A*/A grades.

Head teacher Eliot Hodges said: “I am thrilled for all our hard-working students. Today’s results represent the culmination of two years of focus and effort from the youngsters and their teachers.”

At Chatham Grammar School for Girls one pupil was clutching a puppy as well as her results. Hannah Sullivan, 16, was given 10-week-old Luna as a reward for her three As, four Bs and two Cs.

Associate head teacher Jo Campbell-Dunlop congratulated all her pupils. She said: “We are very proud of this strong set of GCSE results.

"We congratulate our students for their hard work and achievements and our teaching staff for their expertise, commitment and encouragement.”

St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School said it was celebrating some outstanding performances.

Adelina Dann gained 13 A*-C grades with 11 at A and A* and six at A* while Bilal Ahmed achieved 10 A*-C grades. The school in Ordnance Street, Chatham, achieved 3% above its government target.

Catherine Burnett, head teacher, said: “We would like to congratulate all our students on their achievements and wish them further success in their continuing studies.”

Terry Millar, head teacher at The Howard, said coupled with last week’s A-level results, this was a superb year for the school and its students.

He added: “This is a fantastic set of results and I am absolutely delighted to see so many doing so well. Students have worked extremely hard and these excellent results are a tribute to their commitment and hard work.”

Jeremy Walker, principal at King’s school in Rochester, said they had a “great set of results” with a just under 40% of results at A* or A and 67% A* to B.

Students at Thomas Aveling also achieved the school’s best ever results, with a record 61.3% gaining five or more A*-C grades.

One outstanding pupil was Rahaf Satouf, 16, who has only been in the UK for four years after leaving Syria. She achieved an A*, six As and a B.

Head teacher Paul Jackson, said: “I am delighted that our students have made such amazing progress and achieved stunning results.”