Pupils at secondary schools across Thanet have been picking up their GCSE results this morning.

Here are the reactions of pupils and head teachers from our schools across the isle.

Dane Court Grammar School

Banisha Atkar and Gowri Satish both gained nine A*s and two A grades.

Banisha said: "I am really pleased particularly with my product design and physics results as I found these subjects particularly challenging. I never thought in a million, trillion years I would achieve results like these.

Gowri said: "I am so over the moon, when I saw my results I couldn’t believe the number of A*’s. I am pleased that all my hard work paid off."

Evan Usher achieved six A*s and three A grades and will be staying on at the school to study German and Spanish.

He said: "I'm really happy, it's been a long wait and I am thankful to everyone here who has helped me. It was worth all the hard work."

Head of school Andrew Fowler said: “These superb results reflect the hard work of the students and the wonderful support they have received from their teachers and parents.

"A number of students have overcome great personal hardship, and I congratulate them on their success.”

Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School

Pupils celebrated an overall pass rate of 98.1% for five A* to C grades.

Among those with successful results were Katie Knight with 10 A*s and an A grade, Talya Amores who gained 7 A*s and Stephen Dolan with nine A*s.

Head teacher Debra Liddicoat said: "Our students should be really proud of these amazing results, they are well deserved after two years of hard work.

"Particularly pleasing are the 40 pupils who gained between eight and 12 GCSEs at A* distinction, A* or A grades."

The Charles Dickens School

An improving pattern could be seen in English and Maths passes this year with over 46% of pupils achieving passes in both subjects.

Verity White achieved 11 GCSE passes and Abdul Mueed gained seven A's including three A*s.

Abdul said: "I'm very happy, I'm looking at moving on to Chatham and Clarendon sixth form for physics, chemistry, computing and maths."

Sophie Rowland-Elliot came in to school early to find out her results - she achieved two A's, four B's and two C's.

She said: "I'm really happy. I want to do sociology, business studies, media and psychology in sixth form."

Amy O'Brien gained B's in the subjects she wants to continue - art, drama, English literature and sociology.

She said: "I got everything I needed to move on to Chatham and Clarendon.

"I'm so proud and I'm just glad that I didn't fail!"

Head teacher Andrew Olsson said: “I congratulate all students for their achievement in securing GCSE success this summer.

"These results provide a good basis for further progression into our sixth form, college or apprenticeships.”

The Ellington and Hereson School

Head boy Ben Priest was pleased with two A grades and three B's among his results.

He said: "Since Monday I have been really nervous.

"The year has been great, it has gone so fast, it was unbelievable and I really enjoyed it."

Head girl Amber Spinks achieved four A's, four B's and four C grades.

She said: "I worked really hard and I feel proud. I'm going to Dane Court.

Alice Beard also gained 13 A* to C grades, including seven B's and three A's.

Head teacher Simon Pullen said: "I want to congratulate all of Year 11 and also thank the teachers for the commitment they have shown in supporting our students during their GCSE exams.

"Following our successful sixth form results I am pleased that so many pupils have done well and will be staying on into our sixth form."

Hartsdown Academy

Hartsdown Academy has secured their best results in Maths and English at GCSE level.

Top performers included Hannah Francis with 12 GCSEs including two A*s in Maths and ICT, three A’s in French, Science and Leisure and seven B grades.

Hannah, 16, from Ramsgate, said: “The support from Hartsdown has been great. I never dreamed I would do so well. It is overwhelming.”

Head boy Connor Wyatt passed 11 GCSEs including A grades in Maths, English, ICT and Media and Bs in History and Triple Science.

The musician is in a local band called December Collapses and will study music, history and art in the sixth form.

He said: “These are my favourite subjects and I aim to make music my life.”

Principal Andy Somers said Hartsdown is “encouraging students at all levels to be aspirational as we help them build secure futures.”

He said: “The progress shown by our students is excellent and it will stand them in good stead as they continue through their education into university, training, apprenticeships and employment. “

Mr Somers said: "The excellent attitude of students and the brilliant support of Hartsdown’s staff is behind the impressive progress, and this has been a major factor in summer exams over the last nine years.

“It is much more difficult for students today to gain a C grade than ever before due to the way the marking criteria has changed – and we are seeing more students achieving C or above than ever.”

St Lawrence College

Pupils Monica Gold, Kristiana Boon and Isabella Boon and Megan Crowley amassed 32 A* and A grades between them.

The college had 58% of all grades being A* to B.

King Ethelbert School

Among the pupils achieving highly were Maia Cocks with five A's and seven B grades, Peri Duncan with three A*s, three A's and five B grades and Luke Jolles with six A's and five B grades.

Head teacher Kate Greig said: “These are yet again wonderful results and make us the highest achieving non-selective school in Thanet for the third year running.

"We have a fantastic staff who work so hard and do everything that needs to be done to ensure success for each individual.

"The students are a complete credit to their school and to the local community and we should all be celebrating their considerable achievements.

"What is so important is that the students have got the grades they need in order to progress to the next part of their education, be it our sixth form, other post-16 courses or apprenticeships.

"They are a wonderful set of young people and we are all so proud of them.“

St George's School

Staff and students are celebrating one of the best sets of results with 50% of students achieving C and above in English and Mathematics.

Amy Kehoe, Chloe Cambray, Thomas Colcombe, Alexandra Piper, Sophie Jarvis and Jim Wright were the top performing students at GCSE with a clutch of A*, A and B grades.

Amy said: "“I am over the moon and happy to be joining St. George’s sixth form.”

Thomas said: "I am relieved that I have achieved the grades I need for sixth form.”

Principal Kim Stoner said: “We are delighted with these results - they truly reflect the hard work, dedication and commitment of both staff and students.

"These results will enable students to continue their journey in education and are an excellent platform for their future”.

Marlowe Academy

Among the successful pupils were Graham Turner who achieved seven B and C grades and will be staying on for sixth form.

Ellie Summerfield achieved five C's and will be going to college to study health and social care, with aspirations of becoming a midwife.

Head teacher Emma Newman said: "After a busy and turbulent year, we are really pleased with the outcomes of all the hard work by students and staff and have celebrated the successes of the students as they look forward to moving on to the next exciting stages of their education."

Ursuline College

Students, teachers and parents shared laughter and tears of excitement, as well as congratulations, as the long awaited GCSE results were revealed at Ursuline College, Westgate.

Headteacher Tanya Utton noted excellent results in RE, sport and IT, describing them as “as good as we would expect” at the specialist sports college.

She said: “English continues to be a real strength at the school. There have been significant improvements in art and media studies and the value added is looking really strong.

“We are very proud that our children do so well with the additional academic curriculum, which means they continue to make good progress after GCSEs.

“After these first exam successes, they are gaining maturity and confidence as they take their next steps.”

Students paid tribute to the support and dedication of staff as they celebrated.

Angel Delgado, 16, who gained six good GCSEs, and a merit in her BTEC sports exam, said: “I was shaking, I was so scared when I opened the envelope. When I found out my results, I was so pleased I wanted to cry. I am so happy.

“I am so grateful for all the extra support and help staff have given, both during lessons, after school and at weekends.”

Bethany Sorensen, who hopes to be a journalist, was “over the moon” with her results, including three A and three B grades.

“The support from the teachers has been brilliant and has really helped me throughout years 10 and 11,” she added.

Mum Alice Binu said she was “very proud” of daughter Krupa, who is planning to become a doctor and gained superb results, with two A*s, five As, two Bs and a merit for her sports BTEC.

Mrs Binu said: “This is a very nice school, for Krupa it has felt like a home and I have been really pleased with all the support the staff have given her.”