DIDCOT teenagers produced record sets of GCSE results yesterday.

Seventy-four per cent of Didcot Girls’ School’s 234 pupils gained five or more A* to C grades — a rise of six per cent on last year.

Two-thirds of pupils at the counterpart boys’ school, St Birinus, got five or more A* to C grades — a rise of almost ten per cent.

At the girls’ school, 24 per cent got five or more A* and A grades and ninety-five per cent passed five or more GSCEs.

High flier Sally Walker, 15, who got six A*s and five As, said her results meant she could go on to do the A-levels she needed to become a doctor.

She said: “I was very nervous before I opened them as I did not think I had done very well.

“GCSEs are quite important, but I think A-levels will be much more important —and everyone is getting higher grades these days.”

Yasmim Jehanli, 16, who got the equivalent of 10.5 A* and A grades, said: “It is amazing, I am so excited. I am just really happy. I did much better than I thought. I worked really, really hard every single day for two months.”

Grace Reynolds, 16, who earned three As, five Bs and a C, said: “All my friends are really happy with their results. Most people got really good results.”

Headteacher Rachael Warwick said it was an exciting day for the pupils and the school.

She said: “These results are a testament to the commitment and hard work of the students and staff.

“They are deserved reward for the hard work and positive attitude shown by our students in ensuring that they make the most of their opportunities at the school.

“It has been a sea change in terms of significant improvements for the school, and we are delighted with the number of high-achieving students.”

“These results give that taste of success that motivates the students to carry on and get stuck in at A-level.

“They are just as aware as the rest of society how difficult the economic climate is, and they realise that commitment to their education will ensure their futures.”

St Birinus School’s 202 Year 11 boys were also celebrating record results.

Ninety-six per cent of them passed five or more GCSEs. Alex Emery, 16, got eight A* and A grades.

Headteacher Chris Bryan, who retires at the end of the month, said: “They promised to produce some of our best ever results to mark my retirement and they have exceeded all our expectations. Over 130 boys have achieved at least five top grades — including 20 students who were awarded at least 12 top grades.

“This is outstanding and is a tremendous tribute to the hard work, determination and commitment demonstrated by our students — together with the support they have had from their teachers and parents.”

Most of the students will move up to the sixth form before going to university.

Mr Bryan added: “With results like this, it provides students with an excellent foundation for further and higher education.”