STUDENTS in North Essex are celebrating the end of a long and anxious wait for their GCSE results as envelopes are ripped open and cries of joy fill school corridors across the region.

STUDENTS in north Essex are celebrating the end of a long and anxious wait for their GCSE results as envelopes are ripped open and cries of joy fill school corridors across the region.

Essex county councillor Stephen Castle, cabinet member for education said: “All the hard work and weeks of nervous waiting are finally over, as our county's GCSE students receive their results today.

“The results are the culmination of months of dedication, and I would like to offer all of our pupils my congratulations.

“We also mustn't forget the contributions made by teachers, as well as parents and carers. They also deserve our praise at this time for the invaluable support they have provided to the students.

“These results represent a gateway to numerous opportunities, be it in further education, vocational training or full time employment. I wish all of our students the very best of luck for the future.”

- Colbayns High School in Clacton posted its best ever results with 69% of the 259 students obtaining the benchmark of five A* to C grades.

Headteacher Nick Pavitt said he was absolutely thrilled and delighted with the results which he saw as a further testament to the school, its staff and its students.

“Colbayns is a school that has been rapidly improving and these results continue to confirm that we have strong capacity for further improvement.

“Two years ago we gained 31% Grades 5A*-C and 19% Grade 5A*-C including English & Maths, this year's results at 5A*-C represent a 38% improvement on 2007.”

- At Colchester County High School for Girls 99.6% of the students obtained the benchmark of achieving five or more A* to C grades.

Headteacher Elizabeth Ward said: “This has been another excellent year, with all 104 students having achieved outstanding results in all subjects.

“CCHS always tries to tailor the curriculum to the needs of the individual student.”

- Colchester High School was celebrating another very successful set of GCSE results, with 92% of pupils achieving at least 5 A* to C grades.

David Young, director of studies, said: “This is fantastic news, and I would like to personally thank all of the teachers for all their hard work.

“It is always so pleasing to see the pupils getting the rewards for all their commitment and effort, and there was a wonderful atmosphere at the school today as they collected their results.”

- Pupils at Colchester Royal Grammar School are celebrating after 100% passed with five A* to C grades.

Headmaster Ken Jenkinson said: “I am delighted with this year's GCSE results.

They are an excellent platform for Sixth Form study and testimony to the hard work of the boys and the teachers. It is not surprising that sport, music and drama were particularly strong in this year group as the boys were keen to make the most of all the opportunities available to them.”

- The Colne Community School and College, Brightlingsea, celebrated with best-ever figures of 71 % of pupils getting five or more A* to C grades.

Principal Nardeep Sharma said: “It has been a busy year and our students have worked incredibly hard. With the guidance from an excellent teaching staff and good parental support we did very well indeed.

“All indicators show that we will perform even better year next year.”

- At Felsted School, 99.6% of the students achieved five or more A* to C grades.

The school's headmaster, Dr Mike Walker, said: “Our students have worked very hard and accepted the challenge of aiming high as well taking advantage of such a rich range of extra-curricular opportunities in sport, music, the arts and other areas.

“They deserve genuine congratulations for these excellent results.”

- Pupils at the Gilberd School, Colchester were “delighted” with this year's GCSE examination results with 64% of students gaining five A* to C grades.

Headteacher Linda Exley said: “We are delighted with the success of our students.

“These results are in line with our target for this year group and reflect the solid foundations provided for students at The Gilberd. In addition they reflect the hard work of students and staff in partnership with our supportive parents.”

- The Harwich School achieved record-breaking GCSE results with its five 5 A*-C % pass rate rising by 10% to 53%.

Headteacher Nigel Mountford said: “This is absolutely brilliant news for our students. I have worked at the school for 20 years and I have never seen our results increase by so much.

“Students and staff have worked tirelessly and we have provided lots of extra help including lessons during the holidays and on Saturdays.

“Parents and the local community should be so proud of what our students have achieved. These results place us close to the top quarter of similar schools in the country.

“This is now the start of my third year as Headteacher and we will continue to embed the large improvements we have made over the last couple of years.

“The governors, staff and I wish to extend our congratulations and praise to all our students at this time of celebration and success.”

- A total of 71% of Hedingham School pupils obtained five or more A* to C grades.

Headteacher John Panayi said: “I am extremely pleased with the achievements of all the students and the real improvement by the school from last year.”

- At Manningtree High School, 54% of those taking their GCSEs achieved five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths - an increase of 12% on last years figures.

Every student leaving the school did so with a recognised qualification and six students - Alex Duchars, Brad Antliff, John Phillips, Lottie Cousins, Holly Spurr and Liz Smy - collected 23 A* grades and 34 A grades between them.

Headteacher Deborah Hollister said: “We are all delighted that so many students have achieved their potential after so much hard work.” The sustained efforts of staff, parents and the students themselves have been rewarded across the board with a fine and once again, improved, set of results.”

- At New Hall School in Chelmsford, 100% of students attained five or more GCSEs at A*-C grade.

Principal Katherine Jeffrey, said: “We are very proud of our students. These excellent results are a testament to their ability and hard work and of course to the expertise and dedication of the teachers.”

- At Philip Morant School, in Colchester, 74% of the students achieved five or more A* to C grades, an increase on last year.

Sue Cowans, headteacher, said: “There were many superb results across the whole range from students who had worked very hard, to secure their individual success. A very pleasing set of results.”

- At Plume School in Maldon, 69% of students gained five or more A* to C grades, a 21 per cent rise on 2006's figure of 48%.

Headteacher David Stephenson said: “We are delighted - these are the best results Plume School has ever achieved.

“They reflect the huge amount of work by our students.”

- At Stanway School in Colchester, 66% of pupils achieved five GCSEs or more at grades A*-C.

At Thomas Lord Audley School (TLA) the figure was 57% while at Alderman Blaxill School the number was 47%.

Jonathan Tippett, Headteacher at Stanway and acting headteacher at both TLA and Alderman Blaxill, said: “The Stanway results were as expected.

“TLA was quite remarkable, because two years ago the figure was 34%. Alderman Blaxill was up 2%, but two years ago it rose by 15%.”

- At St Benedicts College in Colchester, 77% of students achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C.

Headteacher John O'Hara said: “We are delighted with the results. We were particularly pleased that every child has received at least one GCSE grade.”

- At St John Payne School in Chelmsford, 74% of pupils achieved five GCSEs or more at grades A*-C.

Headteacher Frank McEvoy said: “Without the selfless support and dedication by my staff and the very hard work by our Year 11 pupils these results would not have been possible.”

- At Tendring Technology College, 75% of students achieved five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C.

Principal Caroline Haynes said: “We are thrilled to celebrate these excellent results with our students.

“There are many outstanding individual results which could open up the possibility of entry to Oxford and Cambridge and other top universities for some students.

“We also celebrate the achievements of those who have made real progress, and have overcome significant difficulties on the road to success.”

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