DELIGHTED students in north Kent have been celebrating their contribution to the best-ever GCSE results.

Most schools in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley beat the national average of 62.4 per cent passes at grades A* to C.

There were celebrations at Gravesend Grammar School for Girls, Pelham Road, Gravesend after it achieved a 98 per cent pass rate for grades A* to C.

Headteacher Gillian McNulty said: "We are so pleased all the girls did so well.

"We are especially pleased with Ishani Biswas who managed to come top five in the country for design and technology and English literature.

"Also, Jennifer Wallace came top five in the country for English literature."

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys achieved a 96.6 per cent pass rate for grades A* to C.

The school in Common Lane, Dartford, was down 0.6 per cent on last year's performance.

Headteacher Brian Titterington said: "It was a very solid performance from the year group and is a fully justified reflection of the hard work put in by both students and staff."

Sixteen-year-old Tom Harvey, from The Meadway, Orpington, says he is "amazed" by his five A* and six A grades.

He said: "I was so shocked when I got the results, I was amazed and completely knocked to the ground.

"I want to do my A-levels and pursue a career in media or journalism."

Dartford Technology College, Heath Lane, Dartford, managed a 42 per cent pass rate in grades A* to C.

This is below the national average but headteacher Trish Burleigh is happy with the students' marks.

She said: "We are very proud of our students and we should remember the ones that don't get a string of A grades but still work extremely hard to achieve."

Around the schools:

Cobham Hall, Cobham

Fifteen students passed 10 or more subjects at grade A* to C.

One student achieved 12 passes at A* or A.

Northfleet School for Girls, Hall Road, Northfleet

Assistant head Gita Vyas said: "These are the best GCSE results overall Northfleet School for Girls has ever achieved.

"These particular groups of students, their families, the teaching and support staff and headteacher, together with the subject leadership teams, are to be warmly congratulated for their hard work and dedication leading to these outstanding successes."

St John's Catholic Comprehensive School, Rochester Road, Gravesend

Acting headteacher John Martindale said: "A set of results which reflects both the high levels of commitment and hard work of staff and students together with the support of parents."

Gravesend Grammar School for Girls, Pelham Road, Gravesend

Elizabeth Cowan got 10 and a half A*s.

Gravesend Grammar School for Boys, Church Walk, Gravesend

Robert Brown got 10 and a half A*s.

Headteacher Geoff Wibar said: "Another good year with increased pass rates and a greater proportion of A grades."

Northfleet Technology College, Colyer Road, Northfleet

Headteacher John Hassett said: "A stunning set of credits at GCSEs.

"We delight in their success and thank them for raising the bar even higher for all that follow them."

Gurdeep Dosanjh got 16 A* to C grades.