PUPILS have celebrated another fantastic year of GCSE results as many schools improved.

Brighton and Hove City Council announced almost half of students achieved at least a grade five in English and maths, which is a “strong pass”.

Education chief Councillor Nick Childs said the city’s future was “very bright indeed”.

The Government’s ambition is for all pupils to achieve a “strong pass” in English and maths combined. This is a grade five or above.

Some 49 per cent of Brighton and Hove pupils achieved this level – up on last year’s 47 per cent.

There were scenes of celebration at Dorothy Stringer school as more than 70 students achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade seven or higher – the equivalent of A to A*.

Pupil Darla Warriner said she felt “amazing” after opening her results but was nervous on the day.

“It was really stressful this morning,” she said.

“I found an old sewing kit when I was cleaning my room so I was sewing all morning to calm down, then I met up with some friends to walk in with.

“I didn’t think I would get these results, I wasn’t expecting this at all. I did astronomy as an extra one as well, so we had classes every Monday after school.”

Twins Yolanda and Camilla Hein also saw success and both will go on to study for an international baccalaureate at Bhasvic in Hove.

Yolanda said: “It felt really good to finally get the results, it’s a real relief. I worked really hard and there was a lot of dedication involved, especially in maths.

“But I didn’t expect them to go this well.”

It was not just Year 11s who received their results yesterday.

Adam Downie and Raffie Kilgarriff, both 14, took their GCSE French exams two years early and achieved grade eight, the equivalent to an A*.

Adam said: “It feels weird because all the other people here have taken so many exams and we took one. It just shows how much we are going to have to work when it’s time to take our GCSEs in two years.”

But it was an emotional day for outgoing headteacher Richard Bradford, who will leave the school this summer after eight years as its head.

“I will definitely miss it, it’s a lovely day seeing what all the pupils have achieved at the end of five years of work,” he said. “It’s great to see them be successful.”

Meanwhile pupils at Hove Park school were jumping for joy at their results.

Thirty five per cent of pupils achieved a pass in all their EBACC subjects, which are made up of English, maths, two sciences, a humanity subject, and a language.

This was well above the average of 24 per cent. One of those happy pupils was Zach Lee, 16, who jumped and screamed when he opened his results.

“I’m shaking, I’m quaking. I’m so happy, I got all the scores that I wanted to get, and better,” he said.

“The plan now is to go to Bhasvic, I think I have all the grades to get in. I’m going to study chemistry, computer science and maths. I want to work for a big tech company, either starting myself or going straight to Google. Now I’m going to Nando’s to get free chicken.”

Luke Marshall and Williams Manns, both 16, also said they planned to get some celebratory chicken. I’m happy with how I did, I’m into Bhasvic which is great,” Luke said.

“ I worked hard, maybe could’ve worked harder, but I’m in.”

William added: “I got all passes so I’m happy, I’m going to Bhasvic.”

A “stunning” 87 per cent of Blatchington Mill pupils passed in English, well above the national average.

Sixteen-year-old Luke Piggott’s results sheet was littered with eights and nines. I got more nines than I thought. I’m really happy I worked hard before the exams,” he said. I’m shocked that I’ve done so well. It all pays off doesn’t it?

“I’m going to Reading Festival after this, it’s going to be fun.”

Leah Gardiner, 16, also had a pleasant results day surprise.

“I wasn’t expecting that amount of sevens,” she said. “I did work hard but I’ve never really been academic so I’m surprised.

“I’m studying dance at an academy in Brighton which is what I’ve always wanted to do, but these good grades are a bonus.”

It was a special day for Nat Dudman, an autistic student at LVS Hassocks, who was told at primary school he would never take exams. He achieved a six in art and will study aeronautical engineering at Northbrook College in Worthing.