Staff and students at Springwood High School in King's Lynn were celebrating their best-ever GCSE results today.

The number of top grades has increased for the fourth consecutive year, with a 8pc leap in the percentage of pupils gaining five or more A* to C grades including maths and English.

Headteacher Andy Johnson said: 'This is a brilliant set of results for Springwood High School and testament to the hard work of students, staff and the excellent relationships forged with the parents of our year 11 students.

'We had a very good year group and we had an inkling we would do so well. We set a target of 62pc but they smashed that by getting 64pc and that will probably go up to 65 or 66pc with remarks.'

Chair of Governors, Roger Livesey, added: 'This has been another fantastic year for Springwood High School.

'Both the GCSE and A-level results have been amazing and best ever records for the school. Well done to both students and staff.'

In addition, one fifth of the grades achieved were either A* or A which is the best ever in the school's history.

Percentage of students who gained five or more A*-C GCSEs, including English and maths, with previous years in brackets: 64pc (55) (50) (38) (30) (45) (38).

Rebecca Williams, 16, was the top performer at the school with 11 A* and one A.

She said: 'When I saw how well I had done, I just couldn't believe it and I've just been crying so much.

'I thought I got all Bs or done worse when I came into school. Then I saw Mr Johnson who said he had a surprise for me and then I opened my results and thought I was going to pass out.

'I'm so proud of my friends as well because they've all done really well.'

Toni Emery, 16, was another of the school's best performers at GCSE with five A*, five As and one B.

She said: 'I can't explain how I'm feeling. I'm just really happy because I was hoping I got As and Bs so to get so many A* grades is fantastic. It just hasn't sunk in yet.'

Holly Franklin, 16, picked up two A*, three As and five Bs amongst her results. She said: 'I feel really happy and I'm so pleased with my two A* grades in dance and RE.

'I was really nervous because everyone hopes they do really well and I was expecting myself to have done well.

'I was shaking as I opened the envelope. I thought I would be OK but I was still really nervous.

'The rest of my results means that I'm now in sixth form and I'll be studying dance, drama, English and history and I want to do dance and drama at university.'

Her friend Rebecca Harrington, 16, picked up one A*, five As, three Bs and two Cs. She said: 'I'm a bit overwhelmed but really happy with my results.

'I really wanted to get the A* in RE so that was the first result I looked and I am so pleased I got it.

'I was so nervous walking here today because I thought I would be really disappointed but now I've got into sixth form and want to do history, English lit, business studies and dance.'

She added: 'It is great to be here and see everyone else picking up their results and I can't wait to speak to everyone and see what they got.'