The top grades of youngsters across the country improved again this year and the schools in our area were pleased to report similar success.

Lynn's Springwood High School celebrated a record set of GCSE results, with 50 per cent of pupils gaining at least five A* to C grades including English and maths.

The figure was eight per cent above what pupils' previous attainment had predicted and was also above the national average.

A total of 63 per cent achieved five A* to C grades and the boys outperformed the girls for only the second time. The school's strongest subjects were modern languages and religious education.

Headteacher Peter Hopkins said: "Yet again our pupils have shown they can exceed all expectations through good teaching and their own determination.

"Springwood continues to add considerable value to its pupils' performance. We congratulate our pupils upon their ability and hard work.

"I love watching their faces when they open their results. That is what makes teaching the most rewarding job for me."

Further success was celebrated at Lynn's King Edward VII School, where the number of students gaining five or more A* to C grades hit 55 per cent, a two per cent increase on last year.

The school reported an overall pass rate of 97 per cent, while 50.2 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A* to C passes including maths and English.

Headteacher Mike Douglass said: "This is a very pleasing set of results and we have had some excellent individual performances.

"There will be some disappointments, as there always is, but we are pleased to see our GCSE grades increasing, which is really great."

Among the school's success stories was 16-year-old Robert May, of South Wootton, who gained seven A* passes to go with the three A* grades he achieved in early GCSE examinations.

And last week he also received an A grade in A level maths.

Staff at Methwold High School were toasting the success of their pupils who helped the school achieve its best-ever GCSE results.

The school celebrated an overall pass rate of 95 per cent, with 49 per cent of pupils gaining five or more grades at A* to C and 38 per cent achieving five or more passes at A* to C including English and maths.

Sophie Ward (16), of Foulden, was among the school's top performers, gaining one A*, five As, four Bs and one C.