HUGS of relief and excited phone calls home to nervous parents greeted recorded breaking GCSE results in south-west Hertfordshire yesterday (Thursday).

At Queens’, in Bushey, pupils returned the school’s best ever results, with 84 per cent of pupils getting five A*s to Cs.

One of those was Elizabeth Sculley, from Watford, who is now looking forward to studying AS-levels in maths, further maths, politics and history next year after scoring five A*s, four As and a B.

“I was fine until about 10am this morning then I realised how near it was”, she said, “but I am so happy.”

Clutching his results, 16-year-old Jacob Reynolds was informed by headteacher Terry James that as well as getting seven A*s, three As and a B, he was among the top ten pupils in the country for business studies and economics.

Asked how he felt, Jacob said: “I don’t know really. It is just a bit of disbelief. I was a little nervous as I was driving up but I’m just really really happy now.”

At Bushey Meads School, Jack Pegram, part of the Great Britain table tennis wheelchair team, discovered he had been awarded 100 per cent for his PE practical examination. He also got ten A to C grades.

Jack, 16, said: “I am really pleased. I’m really proud of what I have achieved because I put in so much effort.”

At Westfield Community Technology College, the school’s success – 55 per cent A*s to Cs – was the perfect parting gift for outgoing headteacher Judith Gott, who retires this month.

A statement from the school read: “We are absolutely delighted with our results, the best the school has ever achieved by some margin.

“They are a further indication of the continued improvement of Westfield and a great tribute to the students and the staff who have worked so hard over the past two years.”

At Francis Combe GCSE results were also the highest in the school’s history.

Headteacher Nicky Williams said: “Year on year, we are showing genuine and real improvement in standards and achievement. I am very proud of all the students and my dedicated work force for the incredible turnaround that the school has undergone in the last two years”.

Brian Coulshed, headteacher at Parmiter’s School, paid tribute to an “exceptional” year group after welcoming another increase in the number of pupils achieving top marks.

He said: “We are delighted with these excellent results. Our Year 11 has been well-known for its sporting prowess but it has demonstrated a propensity to ‘work hard’ as well as ‘play hard’.”

At Watford Boys', results also exceeded last year’s achievement by pupils.

Pupils achieving all A* and A grades went up from 51 per cent last year to 64 per cent.

Martin Post, headmaster, said: “These are outstanding results from a great year group which has also produced excellent sports, plays and concerts throughout the year.”

At Immanuel College, in Bushey, the school celebrated its eighth consecutive year of achieving at least 95 per cent A* to C grades.

Top pupils David Gee and Stephen Moses, both gained nine A*s, while Naomi Sheer got eight A*s and Eve Wilson seven.

Headteacher Philip Skelker said: “I congratulate them upon their achievement and determination to succeed and thank our teachers for their dedication and constant encouragement.”

St Margaret’s in Bushey saw every girl in Year 11 pass their GCSEs, with all gaining a minimum of seven A* to C grades.

“We are so proud of how highly the girls achieve here, they really do fulfil their individual potential,” headteacher Lynne Crighton said.

And at St Clement Danes School, Chorleywood, Dr Josephine Valentine also reported a record year of results – with 87 per cent of students achieving five A* to C passes.

She said: “The students have worked incredibly hard and deserve these phenomenal results. I really could not be more pleased.”

Four of the school’s pupils also celebrated being ranked in the top ten in the country in their chosen subjects.

Jeffrey Michael and Angela Prior were ranked in the top ten in food technology, while Charlotte Jade O’Reilly and Danielli Ayesha Ofori-atta were ranked in the top ten for art.