Students across Epsom and Ewell are in high spirits after another ‘record-breaking’ year of GCSE results.

In the biggest shake-up of exams for a generation, pass rates dipped over all as students faced tougher exams.

Under the overhaul, traditional A* to G grades are being gradually replaced in England with a 9 to 1 system.

Epsom College celebrated ‘record’ results this year with over half of all exams grading A* and 78 per cent A* to A – an increase of 8 per cent on last year.

Top individual performers came from Amy Taylor who scooped ten A* grades and a 9 with Cara Robinson on her heels scoring nine A* grades and a 9.

Jay Piggot, headmaster, said: "Over the past seven years, the college has witnessed our GCSE grades improve from 63 per cent to 78 per cent within the A*-A grade range.

“This remarkable advancement of learning and outcomes stands as a monument to the hard work invested by both pupils and staff.”

St Christopher’s saw some excellent results with 95 per cent of students scooping five A* to C grades and 90 per cent scoring 4 to 9 in English and Maths.

Headteacher Richard Palmer said: “We’re delighted with this year’s excellent results and are proud of the work and dedication put in by our pupils to achieve them, supported by their parents and teachers.

“While there are some excellent individual success stories with a number of students achieving a full house of A*s and the new grade 9 in maths and English, we are equally proud of the students who have worked hard to achieve a pass in a subject that they may have found challenging at the start of the course.”

Glyn school had some ‘outstanding’ performances from pupils with 15 students achieving grades 9s in English and 22 in maths.

An impressive performance were seen from Marcus Roberts who scooped three top grade 9s and seven A*s and Elliot Hickson who achieved two grade 9s, one 8 and seven A* results.

Smiles were seen all around at Ewell Castle after 89 per cent achieved grades A* to C and 9 to 4 this year.

Student Weixiang (Jackie) Luo scooped an ‘impressive’ seven A*s, two As, 9, 8 and a 5 followed closely by Oliver Carter who gained six A*s, one A, two Bs, 9, 7, 6 and Dominic Hutton who achieved one A*, seven As and three 8s.

Epsom and Ewell High were 'delighted' with this year's results after just under 60 per cent scored a grade 4+ in maths and English.

Pupil Leon Colborne exceeded expectations with five A*s, two As, one level 9 and two level 8s and Flora Chung also impressed with her six A*s, one A, two level 9s and one level 8.

Tony Bodell, headteacher at Blenheim High School, is very proud of the Year 11 students with special nods to Rosie Marshall who achieved an impressive six A*s, one A, two 9s and an 8 and Konrad Rynski who picked up four A*s, three A’s, one B, two 9s and an 8.

The Beacon School in Banstead celebrated 14 pupils scoring the top mark - 9 and 30 students gaining grade 8s.

Some impressive marks were scored by Eden Walsh who achieved two grade 9s, 4 A*s and 3 As with peer Charlotte Ellis scooping a 9, 8, three A*s and three As.

Russell Bennett, the principal, said, “Our students worked so well with the new examination demands and clearly excelled in many areas of the curriculum."

Rosebery School celebrated its top-ever GCSE results with 18 students achieving A or A* grades and 7-9 in every one of their subjects and 92 per cent achieving 4+ in English and Maths.

Top student Samantha Perren scored two 9s, 1 8 and 8 A*s and peers Isabel Anderson scooping three 9s, six A*, one A and Anabel Hindmarch achieved two 9s, one 8, eight A*s and one A.

The highest percentage of A* grades on record were seen at City of London Freemen's School in Ashtead this year with 88 per cent of students achieving A* or A grades and 100 per cent of students achieved five or more grades A* to C.