GCSE grades may have fallen nationally but there were plenty of smiles from pupils in Chelmsford.

Nervous teens opened their all-important envelopes this morning and most youngsters were over the moon with what they had achieved.

King Edward Grammar School followed up its impressive A-level performance with its best evr set of GCSE results.

Forty-three per cent of all grades were A* and more than two thirds of pupils gained at least ten As or A*s.

Headteacher Tom Sherrington said: “Congratulations to all the students and staff concerned. 

"We are very proud of you for all the hard work and dedication you have shown over the last two years."

Chelmsford County High School for Girls excelled as well.

More than 88 per cent of entrants received A* and A grades, with more than 57 per cent receiving A*s.

At New Hall School 95 per cent of pupils received A* to C grades and 80 per cent of all grades were at A* to B.

Hylands School pupils achieved the school's best ever results with 66 per cent of youngsters gaining at least five A* to C grades.

The school's top performing girl was Annie Buchanan Kilbey with six A*s and seven As. 

The top performing boy was Adam Sloman with one A*, nine As and four Bs.

Chelmer Valley High School also set pupils up for life aftr compulsory education with 63 per cent of youngsters achieving the Government's benchmarkof at least five A*- C grades, including English and maths.

Although results were improved in Chelmsford schools it is a different picture nationally with this year's results showing 69.4 per cent of entrants earning A* to C grades, compared with 69.8 per cent last year.