Head teachers praised the achievements and efforts of students in Fakenham, Wells, Dereham, Reepham, Litcham, Watton and Swaffham.

Litcham School achieved record-breaking GCSE results with 79pc of students achieving five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths.

Rob Martlew, headteacher, said: 'We are absolutely delighted. Congratulations to the year group, who have worked incredibly hard.'

At Reepham High School and College, 73pc of students achieved A*to C in English and maths.

Headteacher Mark Farrar said: 'We make every child feel valued and cared for, we develop a team spirit and we want them to have high expectations of themselves. When you succeed in that and combine it with excellent teaching and dedicated, wonderful staff, you can achieve great things.'

At Dereham Neatherd High School 65pc of students achieved A* to C in English and maths.

Head teacher Peter Devonish said: 'We are very pleased with this solid set of results which are comparable with last year's excellent set, given cohort differences, and in-line with predictions.'

At Northgate High School in Dereham, 60pc of students achieved A* to C in English and maths.

Head teacher Glyn Hambling said: 'I'm extremely proud. A tremendous set of results have been achieved through fantastic partnerships between staff, students and families.'Some 60pc of students at Alderman Peel High School in Wells achieved A* to C grades in English and maths.

Head Alastair Ogle said the school's results had improved for the fifth year in a row, with 70pc gaining A* to C grades in English.

He said: 'It's been a huge team effort from everyone involved.'

At Fakenham Academy, 60pc of students A* to C in English and maths.

Principal Matthew Parr-Burman said: 'Our overall results were the best-ever for the school and our fourth year of continuous improvement.'

Wayland Academy in Watton celebrated its most successful GCSE cohort, with 53 of its 139 students achieving A*-C in English and maths.

Principal Glen Allott said: 'Huge credit must go to all of our students on their hard work and achievements and also to our excellent teachers.'

At The Nicholas Hamond Academy in Swaffham, 47pc of students gained five or more A* to C grades including English and maths, a 2pc increase on last year.

Principal, Cheryl Hill, said: 'We are delighted with this summer's exam results. The progress our students have made from starting at the Academy is especially pleasing.'