Schools across south Norfolk followed a national trend of slightly lower GCSE results after the introduction of the a 1-9 grading system.

Eastern Daily Press: Izzy Reed, 16, is thrilled with the GCSE results she achieved at Hethersett Academy. Picture: Stuart AndersonIzzy Reed, 16, is thrilled with the GCSE results she achieved at Hethersett Academy. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

But there were still plenty of hugs and happy faces as the region's year 11s opened their envelopes to reveal the grades they had worked so hard for.

Wymondham High Academy bucked the trend by boosting its percentage of students achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths - a measure also known as the 4-plus - from 73pc in 2016 to 80pc this year.

One student, Angela Li, 16, said she was delighted with her 10A*s and two As. Angela is going on to A-Levels at Wymondham College and she hopes to eventually become a dentist or an economist.

She said: 'I really enjoy helping other people and it would be nice to make a difference in their lives.'

Eastern Daily Press: Alex Law, left, and Luke Clinch, both 16, celebrate their GCSE results at Hethersett Academy. Picture: Stuart AndersonAlex Law, left, and Luke Clinch, both 16, celebrate their GCSE results at Hethersett Academy. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Hethersett Academy achieved a 4-plus percentage of 82pc, down from 85pc last year, but principal Gareth Stevens said that due to the changes it was not a straightforward comparison.

MORE: GCSE results 2017: Full list of results from Norfolk and WaveneyHe said: 'The English and maths qualifications are harder now than they have ever been - I would go so far as to say they're as hard as the O-Levels were in the late '80s. We're really happy with our results and terribly proud of the students.'

Wymondham College achieved a 4-plus percentage of 83pc, down from 89pc last year, and executive principal Jonathan Taylor said he was thrilled with the results. He said: 'We are especially delighted that 8pc of students achieved the new top 9 grade in English and 5pc in maths, significantly above national levels of less than 3pc. The percentage of students achieving 5+ grades are also extremely high.'

One Wymondham student, Izzy Reed, 16, said she was proud of how well she and her classmates had done in the new-format maths exam.

Eastern Daily Press: Delighted pupils from Hethersett Old Hall School celebrate their excellent GCSE results. Picture: Courtesy Hethersett Old Hall SchoolDelighted pupils from Hethersett Old Hall School celebrate their excellent GCSE results. Picture: Courtesy Hethersett Old Hall School (Image: Archant)

She said: 'We had no past exam papers and no framework, it was completely unknown.

'The teachers gave us incredible support.'

MORE: GCSE results 2017: Results map of Norfolk and Waveney schoolsAttleborough Academy achieved 67pc in the 4-plus measure.

Neil McShane, principal. said: 'This is yet another set of very impressive results for the academy even with the new specifications and the national 'raising the bar'. It is particularly pleasing to see the number of 9 grades achieved in English and maths.'

Eastern Daily Press: Wymondham College's Sophie Yaxley-McLellan, after getting her GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham CollegeWymondham College's Sophie Yaxley-McLellan, after getting her GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham College (Image: Archant)

Pair are planning for the future

Hethersett Academy students Alex Law and Luke Clinch have been busy since sitting their final GCSE exams.

The friends, both 16, have launched a fence-painting business, working eight hours a day and enjoying all of the challenges and rewards that goes with it.

Eastern Daily Press: Wymondham College's Matteo De-Micceo is happy with his GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham CollegeWymondham College's Matteo De-Micceo is happy with his GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham College (Image: Archant)

Alex and Luke returned to school yesterday to pick up their GCSE results and were both thrilled with a healthy crop of As and A*s.

Alex, from Cringleford, said the hard work he had put in had proven worth it.

He said: 'The sheer amount of work we had get through was the biggest challenge, and I had to make some sacrifices to find extra time to study.

'I would come home and put in four hours most nights, and I gave up swimming so I could work harder.'

Eastern Daily Press: Wymondham College's India Evans and mum Julie Chenery, after getting her GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham CollegeWymondham College's India Evans and mum Julie Chenery, after getting her GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham College (Image: Archant)

Alex and Luke now plan to go onto A-Levels, and then either aim for university or become full-time entrepreneurs.

Luke, from Mulbarton, said: 'You can be successful by yourself, rather than relying on a company to pay you wages. I want to make it big.'

Eastern Daily Press: Wymondham College's Toby Balding and Phoebe Powrie are happy with their GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham CollegeWymondham College's Toby Balding and Phoebe Powrie are happy with their GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham College (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Wymondham College students, from left, Joanna Snook, Zara Brundenell, Eva Vinson and Lucy Jenkins, are thrilled with their GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham CollegeWymondham College students, from left, Joanna Snook, Zara Brundenell, Eva Vinson and Lucy Jenkins, are thrilled with their GCSE results. Picture: Wymondham College (Image: Archant)

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