There were mainly cheers for west Wiltshire pupils yesterday as the GCSE results were released to schools.

Melksham Oak were overjoyed as they received the town’s best ever GCSE results, while St Augustine’s Catholic College, Warminster’s Kingdown School and Corsham School also recording their best ever results at that level.

At Melksham Oak, 60 per cent of pupils achieved A* to C, an increase on previous years, with many getting multiple A*s.

Gabby Wellon, 16, from Melksham achieved two A*s in maths and English.

She said: “It’s really, really good, much better than I thought I would do.

“I was petrified coming in this morning, I had bad dreams about it, it’s definitely been difficult over the summer. ”

Steph Holman had extra pressure this year, combining her studies with appearances for the Welsh under 18 rugby team. She said: “I got two As and three A*s, and the rest Bs.

“I’ve been doing lots of training, and I’ve got even more work to do next year at A-level.”

Headteacher Stephen Clarke said: “These results are above the Government targets and they are a reflection of the hard work and commitment of students, parents, teachers and governors.”

St Augustine’s saw the total of pupils achieving at least five A*-C results including maths and English has risen from 79 per cent in 2012 to 83 per cent this year.

Headteacher Joe Alsop said: “Congratulations to everyone on this wonderful achievement which is the best ever in the history of the college.”

Steph Keogh, 16, achieved nine A*s, in biology, chemistry, physics, maths, geography, design and technology, French, English literature and RE, plus an A and C, while Isabelle Emmitt, 16, achieved seven A*s, plus an A and two Bs.

Isabelle, who will be continuing with A-levels at the college, said: “I’m just extremely pumped and so happy with my results.”

John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge, saw 58 per cent of their pupils achieve A*-C grades including English and maths.

Flora Hervin achieved nine A*s and an A, Sophie Bounchama four A*s and five As and Kyle Chown three A*s and four As.

Headteacher Andy Packer said: “I’m really pleased with the results especially as we’ve performed very well in key areas such as maths, performing arts and art.”

At Clarendon Academy Jack Holtom, 16, attained seven As, with an A* in maths.

Jack, who plans to study A-levels at Clarendon Academy, said: “I’m delighted, with my results and I'd like to thank the school, family and friends for all their support.”

Charlie Payne, 16, also picked up five A grades, and will study A-Levels at Clarendon, as did Jessica Baldwin.

Headteacher Mark Stenton said: “It is fantastic to see so many of our students performing at such a high level with a very pleasing number of A* and A grades.”

At St Laurence School, Oliver Gray from Winsley achieved six A*s, four As and two Bs and said: “There were a few pleasant surprises as I was worried about English. It felt like a long wait for the results so I am glad it is over.”

Headteacher Fergus Stewart said: “We are really pleased with the results. Attainment matches that of last year’s students, despite tightening of exam board marking.”

Pupils and teachers at Kingdown School were in jubilant mood after the school achieved its best ever GCSE results.

Headteacher Sara Edwards said: “We have achieved our best ever GCSE results thanks to the hard work of the students and staff and the support of parents.”

The school achieved an outstanding 69.7 per cent five A*-C with English and Maths, surpassing its target of 66 per cent. The school also managed 97.2 per cent five A*-G, which was its best ever.

One of the star pupils was Tegan Taylor, 16, who achieved eight A*s, one A and one B, while Sam Chapman-Hill was another pupil celebrating after getting six A*s and four As.

The Corsham School also secured its best-ever GCSE results.

The school smashed its own record, with 68 per cent of students achieving five A*s to B including Maths and English, an increase of 10 per cent on its previous best.

Assistant headteacher Marcus Chapman said: " I want to pass on my congratulations to all our students, as they have done exceptionally well.

"It's a new school record, and we're absolutely delighted with that.
"Over a third of our students got at least three As as well, which we're really, really pleased with."

Becky Schofield, 16, from Corsham was among the highest achievers with seven A*s and four As. She said: "Its awesome, I'm really, really happy.
"I thought I'd get mostly As, but I was worried about English.
"I went to the dentist and had my new glasses fitted before I came into school this morning, so I wasn't nervous at all about my results after all that."

She collected her results with friend Beth Wooster, 16, of Bradford on Avon, who got six A*s.

She said: "I didn't think I would do as well in English or history, and I was a bit surprised about German, as my target grade was a B."

The pair will be spending this afternoon planning fundraising ideas ahead of their trip to Vietnam and Cambodia next summer, where they will be working in an orphanage after completing the first year of their A Levels at the school.