EMOTIONS bubbled over as excited teenagers finally learned their GCSE results - and for many schools the grades were the best ever.

Crowds of chatting, shouting, nervous students waited outside schools across the Five Valleys on Thursday morning for the exam results that would shape their future.

And it was not just the pupils who were celebrating when the envelopes were opened.

Katie Harwood, who took over as head of Archway School in Stroud last year, was delighted as she saw the percentage of students with five A* to C grades rise to 48 per cent - a leap of 10 per cent on last year.

"We are thrilled with our GCSE results this year," she said. "This increase reflects the hard work and determination of the students and staff. It is just wonderful."

The school had its fair share of stars, including 16-year-old Amber van Drie-Brown, who scooped an impressive five As and three A*s.

"I am absolutely ecstatic," she said. "I am just shocked because I had glandular fever and tonsillitis during my exams so I just wasn't expecting this - I am very happy."

Girls were also starring at nearby Stroud High School, which was celebrating its best ever GCSE results - with 58 per cent of all exams being passed with an A* or A.

Beaming with joy, pupil Claire Matthews told the SNJ her reaction to gaining a staggering 10 A*s and one A.

"I cannot stop smiling," said the ecstatic 16-year-old from Brimscombe. "I didn't think I would get these exams - I thought I did really badly in some of them. I just cannot believe it."

Pal Julia Townend, 16, from Stinchcombe, scooped nine A*s and two As. She added: "I am completely over the moon - I am still in a daze."

There was relief too at neighbouring Marling School, where 98.3 per cent of pupils got five Cs or above.

Five students were among the top five in the country for various subjects, including whizzkid David Topham, who scored 100 per cent in his maths exam.

Former Stroud Youth MP Alex Farrow also scored highly, with eight A*s and three As.

"I am just shocked," he said. "At the moment it has not really sunk in - I am so happy."

Boys were also performing well at Maidenhill School in Stonehouse - with the level of five A to C grades staying at 40 per cent. Stonehouse 16-year-old Matt Minchin, who wants to become an Army officer, got five Cs, three Bs and one D, with an A* in PE.

He said: "I was chuffed with it - I certainly wasn't expecting some of these. It is crazy."

And fellow pupil Alice Farley, 16, was almost overcome with happiness after learning she had gained five A*s, four As and two Bs. She is planning to go to Cirencester College to study media and wants to be a TV presenter.

"I am so pleased," she said. "It is such a surprise - I didn't think I would get all these, not at all."

Further afield, Sir William Romney's School in Tetbury saw its percentage of students with five or more A to Cs rise from 60 per cent to 63 per cent.