Just a week after A-level students collected their results, it's now time for GCSEs.

Pupils in Sittingbourne and Sheppey have been into school this morning to find out how they did in their exams.

At The Sittingbourne School, 186 pupils sat GCSEs, with 124 of them achieving a 4 or above.

In English and maths, 64 exam takers gained at least a 4 in English and maths.

Among those who did particularly well were Oliver Shearing (four 9s and three 8s) and Abigail Dingle (four 7s and above with a 9 in English literature).

Yvette Peden, head teacher at The Sittingbourne School, said: "We are extremely pleased with the achievements of our Year 11 students.

"We have some real high fliers this year, with many students performing exceptionally well across all subjects.

"Of course, we are particularly happy for Oliver Shearing who achieved four grade 9s, three grade 8s and two grade 6s including 9/9 in science and 9/8 in English."

Head teacher at Westlands School, Simon Cox, said he was particularly impressed with pupils' results.

Of the 267 pupils who took their GCSEs, 175 gained at least a 4 in English and maths, with 228 getting at least one 4 in their exams, including BTECs.

Mr Cox said: "This is a very good year. Results are up significantly in English, maths, science and languages.

"We expected an improvement because this cohort of students were always hardworking, despite the significant tragedy which had a big impact on them earlier in Year 11.

"It just goes to show that when teachers, parents and students work together then excellent results will follow.

"Therefore, I would like to praise my staff, the parents and carers who supported their children and the students themselves."

Those who did best included Oliwia Zarska, David Beards, Trinity Bassett, Megan Wilson and Ella Gambell.

Borden Grammar School head teacher, Jonathan Hopkins, was pleased with how many of Borden’s Year 11s had stepped up to the challenge and increased rigour of new-style GCSE exams.

He said: "Without doubt the new GCSE exams are academically tough but for the majority of our students it is a day of celebration and success.

"Early indicators suggest that the proportion of students gaining the new 9 to 4 grades is similar to previous years, but it is more difficult to secure grades 7 to 9 due to the reduction in coursework across the subject range.”

At Borden, 97% of pupils secured grades 9 to 4 in maths and 94% gained 9 to 4s in English.

Of the 117 exam takers, 11 got grade 9s in English or mathematics.

Of particular note were the 18 pupils who gained eight or more results at grades 7 to 9.

They were: Jack Cherrett, Samuel Cross, Soul Deadman, Brandon Harris, Toby Heather, Fintan Kavanagh, Michael Kent, Haris Khan, Jamie King, Jonathan Lang, Sam May, James Northwood, Adam Platt, Faris Puri, Semilogo Rantimi-Ogunleye, Matthew Reeves, Luke Stringer and Ethan Tracy.

The majority of pupils are continuing their education at Borden in the sixth form.

At Fulston Manor School in Sittingbourne, 209 pupils sat exams and 188 of them gained 9 to 4s, with 107 of them achieving that mark in both English and maths.

Fulston's head teacher Alan Brookes was pleased with many of the outcomes achieved.

He said: “The increased rigour of GCSEs has placed a much sharper focus on the need for students to work hard throughout the two years of the courses and it is encouraging to see the efforts of students reflected in their final grades.”

Mr Brookes added that with exams becoming more challenging, those who received top marks were all the more praiseworthy.

Top performers included Kirsty Genfi (two 9s, five 8s, one 6, one 5); James Harvey (one 9, six 8s, two 7s); Hannah Davies (one 9, two 8s, four 7s, two 6s, one 5), Mia Nyberg (one 9, one 8, five 7s, one 6, one 5); Laura Hunt (one 9, one 8, four 7s, three 6s); Chloe Ellingham (one 9, two 8s, two 7s, three 6s, one 5); Bethany Ward (one 9, one 8, one 7, four 6s, two 5s); William Kilby (one 8, two 7s, five 6s, one 5, one 4); Mahdin Chowdhury (one 8, one 7, five 6s, three 5s); and Mark Chittenden (two 8s, one 7, two 6s, two 5s, two 4s).

Highsted Grammar School reported another positive year of results, with more than half of pupils being awarded a grade 8 or 9.

Deputy head teacher Gavin Ford said: "We are absolutely delighted by these results and are full of admiration and pride for our pupils who thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success. "The pupils with the support of their parents have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these results, and the efforts of staff cannot be understated.

"The whole school community is understandably delighted."

Twelve pupils gained at least 10 grade 7s or above. They were: Arnuan Kiruthigaa, Lily Bamber, Julia Entwistle, Ella Gray, Imani Irinoye, Alice Bourne, Emma Cole, Rosie Currams, Lisa Puddephatt, Charlotte Tolhurst, Isobelle Jackson and Jessica Wiesmath.

At the Oasis Academy on Sheppey, 28% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths - in line with results from last year.

In dance, drama and music, 100% of exam takers achieved a 4 or above, with 92% getting a 4 or above in sport.

There was also improved success in English, with 43% receiving 4 or above, an improvement of more than 18% compared to last year.

Top performers included Jarod Luckhurst who secured an 8 and a 9 in English and maths with two other 9s. He will stay on at sixth form to do A-levels.

Charlotte Denver got an 8 and 7 in English and maths and another four 8s in subjects including science and geography.

Oasis Academy principal Tina Lee said: “We are thrilled for our young people who have worked so hard for these results.

"At Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey we are passionate about giving our students the opportunities that they need to make great progress and flourish, and this year more of our students than ever are leaving us with the qualifications they need to take the next step for their next chosen steps, and then towards a fulfilling career.

“This is a day of celebration for us all at the Academy after our students achieved great results. This year 28% of our students have a 4 or above in both English and maths meaning that they can now go on to sixth form college or training with confidence in their abilities.

“Credit too to our fantastic teachers who are so dedicated to our students, enabling them to do their very best.”

Numbered grading system

More GCSE subjects are being graded using the number system this year, with 9 being the top score and 1 the lowest.

This has been phased in since 2017 to replace the previous A* to G grades.

Starting with English and maths, the new number system is now being used for almost all GCSE subjects.

Emma Jo will be on kmfm's The Hit List from 7pm tonight for a special GCSE Results Surgery.

To see how pupils in other parts of Kent did, head to our county-wide live blog

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey