Thousands of teenagers across Medway have picked up their GCSE results today, with many schools celebrating record grades.

At Rochester Math School 100% of pupils gained the key benchmark of five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths.

Almost half of Year 11 pupils gained eight or more A* and A grades, an increase of 18% from last year and the best ever performance at the school in Maidstone Road.

Executive principal Dr Gary Holden said: “I’m enormously proud of the successes our students have achieved.

“These results are the best ever secured by the school by a considerable margin.”

GCSE pupils collecting their results from King’s Rochester, were again celebrating top grades.

Principal Jeremy Walker said: “This has been another great year for King’s. Well done to all concerned.”

Army Cadet, Archie Keep, returned from a gruelling two-week Royal Marine Commando course to pick up his 10 A to C grades. Archie has his sights after King’s firmly set on a military career.

At Chatham Grammar School for Girls Megan Grewcock has her sights set on Cambridge and becoming a vet after getting A* and A grades in her GCSEs.

The 16-year-old, who got seven A*s, said: “I was really, really worried. I thought the exams went well but I still had that doubt in my mind.”

Christine Probin, head teacher at the school in Rainham Road, said: “I would like to congratulate and say well done to our Year 11 students on their excellent grades."

For the second time this week, pupils at Hundred of Hoo Academy were celebrating top marks.

A record number of pupils gained A* to C grades, with 90% of the year group securing five or more A* to C grades, up 6% from last year.

Gary Vyse, head teacher at the school in Main Road, said: “These examination results reflect a great deal of hard work and ambition from our pupils.”

There were shouts of delight at Greenacre Academy when pupils opened their envelopes.

Jake Whiting was one of those celebrating. He hopes to become a game designer after passing all but one of his subjects.

The 16-year-old woke up a bag of nerves. “I thought ‘oh god I hope I do well’,” he said.

Head teacher Andy Reese said: “These are the best results for us by a long way."

St John Fisher Catholic School, Chatham has seen its fourth year of improvements, with 93% of students gaining five GCSEs or equivalent at A* to C grades.

Head teacher Catherine Burnett said: “I’m delighted to be celebrating another year of improved results at the school.”

Rainham Mark head teacher Simon Decker was delighted with his pupils’ results and said this year, the school had achieved its best GCSE grades on record.

He added: “These outstanding results are due to the hard work by the students and staff.”

• More GCSE stories and pictures in the Medway Messenger on Friday and Monday.