Thousands of 15 and 16-year-olds across Hertfordshire collected their GCSE results today.

A week after pupils in their final year collected A Level results it was the turn of Year 11s to find out how they had done.

Watford Observer:

Nationally there will be around 600,000 young people are picking up their results. Last year, the proportion of entrants awarded top grades fell for the first time in the history of GCSEs.

Pupils at Northwood School bucked the national trend to achieve the school’s best ever GCSE results with 97% of entrants gaining 5 or more A*-C grades. Among the top performing students were Daniel Simpson who gained six As and three A*s, Khin Tin who gained eight As and two A*s, and Max Harper who gained six As and one A*.

At Francis Combe Academy in Garston, 81 per cent of pupils achieved five GCSE grades A* to C, an increase of 14 per cent on last year.

Interim principal Debbie Warwick-Wilson said: "It is great to see the students achieve the results their hard work deserves."

At Westfield Community Technology College in Tolpits Lane 97 per cent gained five GCSE passes at A* to C.

Principal, Tim Body, said: "We are absolutely delighted because we have put in a lot of work and time and it has paid off."

"The kids and the staff have worked so hard and have really put in the hours to get the very best."

The college enjoyed particular success in maths this year with 78 per cent of exam papers graded A* to C.

The Bushey Academy also produced its best ever GCSE results with 99% of students opening the envelope to find five or more GCSE grades A*to C.

Principal Andrew Hemmings said: "We are very, very pleased. These results are, as always, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff, and it is lovely to see another group of students doing so well."

Rickmansworth School also saw 81 per cent of its 183 pupils gain five or more passes at grades A* to C while two pupils bagged nine A* grades each.

Acting headmaster Mark Allchorn said: "Students and staff are to be congratulated on achieving these results.

"They reflect much hard work and demonstrate the commitment that all at the school have to helping young people achieve their full potential.

"We look forward to welcoming most students back into the sixth form next month."

At Merchant Taylors’ School in Moor Park 67.8 per cent of exams were awarded A* grades, the highest ever percentage for the school.

Watford Observer:

An impressive 60 students achieved eight or more A* grades.

Headmaster, Stephen Wright, said: "We are extremely proud of all our boys. They have worked incredibly hard and deserve their success."