Students, teachers and parents all celebrated as the hard work of dedicated pupils paid off on GCSE results day.

This year marked the first year that all GCSE results used the new numerical grading system.

GCSEs are now graded 9 to 1, rather than A* to G. Grade 9 is the highest grade, which is the equivalent of A**.

Budmouth College in Weymouth built on some great A level results by celebrating more good news on GCSE results day.

GCSE results improved for the second year in succession with the high level pass rate in English standing at 80 per cent and maths at 70 per cent. Overall nearly 70 per cent of students achieved more than five high grade passes.

Principal David Herbert commented: "I am delighted that the hard work of our students and staff have been rewarded. There has been much talk nationally about the difficulty in achieving the new ‘GCSE Grade 9’ but this year our students achieved 71 of these top grades which is amazing.

"This is really good news for our students coming off the back of last week’s excellent Sixth Form results. So much of the national spotlight centres on English and maths but we are delighted with a range of subjects whose high grade pass rates are actually over 90%; including Art, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Dance.

Head of Year 11 Angie Davies said: "I am really proud of our students. There are so many individuals who I would like to single out for praise but it is impossible to ignore Gina Demontis and Samuel Burton who both achieved seven Grade 9s and two Grade 8s which is absolutely outstanding. Tobias Diment-Aylott and Willow Bowkett achieved six Grade 9s and three Grade 8s.

"I look forward to seeing the majority of them back as Budmouth Sixth Form students at the start of term."

All Saints Academy in Wyke Regis celebrated an improvement on grades across the board this year, including in English, maths and science.

A total of 70 top grades (9 and 8) were awarded to students from the school.

The two top performing students – Rachel Archer and Elijah Allen, both received three grade 9s, four grade 8s, two grade 7s and one grade 6.

Principal John Cornish said: “On behalf of our outgoing Year 11 students, I am really pleased to see that the hard work has paid off and that they have achieved a very strong set of grades.

“These results are reflective of the positive changes that have already been made at the school. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our students every success for the future.”

Grades that improved included 64 per cent of students achieving grades 9-4 in maths – an improvement of seven per cent from last year.

Students at Thomas Hardye School celebrated their GCSE success on results day.

A total of 76 per cent of students achieved five passes including English and maths.

Headteacher Mike Foley said: “The exam system is being turned upside down, at GCSE and A level, and teachers have done a magnificent job to navigate us through such a turbulent period. Congratulations to all students who have achieved these results following such radical and demanding change. I am particularly pleased that there has been more recognition of the full range of student achievement from grades 1 to 9 this year. The danger of the new system is that it fails to give recognition to those students who have worked really hard but fail to reach a grade 4. As the system develops that problem needs to be addressed.”

Mimi Francis achieved five level 9 grades, three level 8s, two levels 7s and a level six.

She said she was very pleased with her grades and will study A levels at the school’s sixth form.

Atlantic Academy Portland achieved good results, with more than 68 per cent of its students achieving five or more GCSEs with grades of 9-4.

Standout performances included Jessica Turnell, Ben Mutter, Megan Green, Millie Gray, Olivia Dulston-Bray and Hattie Court, all of whom combined scored many 9-7 grades.

Jessica Turnell said: “I am quite proud of myself. All the hard work I put in paid off.”

Leslie Bishop, Principal of Secondary, said: “We are absolutely delighted for our students proving that hard work, confidence and commitment really does pay off.

“We are really proud of all the hard work and effort the students have put into their achievements.

“They have believed in themselves and each other to get these life changing results.

“I would also like to thank our dedicated staff and parents, who have been incredibly supportive and committed in supporting our students over the last two years.”

It was celebration time at The Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth as students received some fantastic GCSE results.

Principal Sarah Bell said: “We are really proud of the hard work of the students and staff at Wey Valley Academy and are pleased that results this year have included a high proportion of Grade 7 to 9s, with grade 9s being achieved within English language, English literature, maths and music.”

Ben Hunter, aged 16 from Weymouth, did exceptionally well.

He achieved a Grade 9 in maths and a grade 8 in physics, meanwhile he achieved grade 7s in chemistry and biology and grade 6s in computer science and design and technology, as well as fives in geography, Spanish and English literature.

He said he was really pleased with his maths and physics results. He will be studying further maths, maths, physics and product design at The Thomas Hardye School sixth form.

Ruby Heggie’s highest grade was a level 9 in English literature, she said she is really happy and will be studying A Levels at The Thomas Hardye School sixth form as well.