ARCHWAY headteacher Colin Belford has heaped praise on his students for their hard work after his school celebrated yet another good year of GCSE results.

Shortly after 9.30am, Year 11 pupils streamed into school to pick up the white envelopes containing their grades.

As students sat on benches outside and huddled in groups awaiting the green light from teachers to go in and collect their marks a nervous and tense atmosphere lingered palpably over them.

However, that mood soon gave way to one of relief and elation as pupils learned their grades and shared them with friends.

Among those celebrating top marks was 16-year-old Becky Durn, who got three A*s and all As in her other eight subjects.

Becky, who ultimately wants to study medicine at university, is now staying on at Archway to study A-levels in chemistry, biology, geography and anthropology.

"I didn’t really sleep last night but I’m glad it’s over now. I’m feeling a real sense of relief and I’m very happy with my results," she said.

Another student who did particularly well was Calum Hebron, 16, who achieved four A*s in religious studies, physics, English literature and language.

He now plans to study A-levels in philosophy, maths, English and chemistry at Cirencester College.

Asked how he was feeling ahead of results day, Calum quoted the Dalai Lama who said: ‘If there is a solution to your problems there’s no point worrying, if there’s no solution then why are you worried’ and said "that sums up pretty much how I felt."

Another student who excelled in their exams was Holly Jackson, 16, who was awarded two A*s in English literature and English language, as well as three As in drama, history and psychology.

"I’m really happy with my results, they turned out really well," said Holly, who has ambitions of becoming a journalist and will now study politics, history, sociology and English at Downfield Sixth Form.

Archway’s headteacher Colin Belford, said: "I am delighted for the children who have done really well and worked really hard. "I am really proud of the effort that the kids have put in to deliver another good set of results.

"Many of them will now be going onto sixth form or college and a number are going on to apprenticeships and employment."