Nerves turned to relief and delight for hundreds of pupils across the Thetford area today as its schools turned out a strong set of results.
More than 300 children across four schools - Thetford Academy, Iceni Academy, IES Breckland Free School, and Thetford Grammar School - picked up their results.
For IES Breckland in Brandon, it was their first experience of the day's nerves since being founded in September 2012.
The school hit its target of making the government's floor standards, with 40pc of students achieving five A* to C grades including English and maths.
Alison Tilbrook, principal, said: 'We are delighted by the first set of GCSE results achieved by our students.
'Our students have achieved above expectations and the school has added considerable value to their outcomes, despite numerous challenges encountered.'
Among the success stories were Adam Jastrzebski, who achieved 11 passes, with eight A* or A grades.
He said he was 'in shock': 'I feel happy but relieved, I just can't believe it. I was expecting a good mark in maths and science, but not the others at all.'
There was slight disappointment at Thetford Academy, were the percentage of students achieving five A* to C with English and maths dropped from 49pc last year to 47pc this year.
But Adrian Ball, principal, said he was proud of his students.
'Our students have made great progress this year.
'I'd like to thank all our staff, parents, and pupils for their commitment and look forward to welcoming many students back to our sixth form in September,' he said.
Paris Phillips and James Trayton were two of the academy's best performers, picking up three A*s between them.
James said: 'I am really pleased. I had no idea how it was going to come out, but I was really happy.'
Paris, who achieved two A*s and five As, was tearful after opening her envelope.
'I was so relieved because I thought I was going to fail because some of the exams went really badly.
'I'm just happy that it all paid off,' she said.
Thetford Grammar School saw top grades go up on last year, with high achievers including Clemency Wood, who picked up 9 A*s and two As.
She said she was 'ecstatic': 'I want to go and study A-levels in art and English hopefully, and I was really pleased with my grades.'
Gareth Price, headmaster, who was attending his last GCSE results day before retirement, said: 'This year group contributed significantly to the sporting, musical and dramatic life of the school as well as being heavily involved with the Duke of Edinburgh and Arts Award schemes.
'At the same time as doing all of this, they also managed to achieve good GCSE qualification, taking them on to the next stage of their education.'
At Iceni Academy, students achieving five A* to C with English and maths was up by eight per cent, to 56pc.
Students Amber Johnson, Bertie Taylor, Holly Owen, Benjamin Sheffield and Katherine Amacker were among the top performers, picking up 40 A* and A grades between them.
Principal Gee Cook said: 'I am delighted for the students. They have worked so hard and put in many hours of work over and above.
'They have come to revision sessions and booster classes and their effort has really paid off.
'I am also delighted for our staff, governors and ATT, our sponsor, who have all supported us tirelessly on our journey.'
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