Students and teachers were celebrating a record breaking week after thousands of teenagers opened their GCSE results to discover top marks.Hours of worry and nail-biting was replaced with big smiles on Tuesday when a handful of schools recorded their best ever results.

STUDENTS and teachers were celebrating a record breaking week after thousands of teenagers opened their GCSE results to discover top marks.

Hours of worry and nail-biting was replaced with big smiles on Tuesday when a handful of schools recorded their best ever results.

Records were smashed at Wymondham High, Attleborough High, Old Buckenham High, and Long Stratton High, when pupils received a flurry of A* to C grades.

The annual GCSE results day saw an improvement in grades for the 23rd year in a row in England with almost a quarter of papers in the east of England getting A*s and As.

At Wymondham High, the school saw a big rise in the percentage of students getting five or more A* to C from 71pc in 2009 to 81pc this year.

Headteacher Victoria Musgrave said the school had surpassed all previous GCSE records.

'Students have excelled themselves this year and we have huge numbers achieving a string of As and A*s. Everyone has done their best. I feel very proud and privileged to lead such a fine school and thank my governors, parents, staff and most of all the students for their contribution to our success,' she said.

Pupils at Attleborough High School also reached new heights after 75pc achieved five or more A* to C grades.

'These results reflect the hard work of the students, the support of our parents and the professionalism and commitment of our staff, who consistently and effectively challenge our students to fulfil their potential,' said headteacher Neil McShane.

Seventy-one percent of GCSE students at Old Buckenham High School gained five or more A* to Cs.

Headteacher Peter Whear said he was 'immensely proud' of the results.

'I am delighted that the students' enthusiasm, commitment and hard work have been rewarded by a thoroughly outstanding set of results across the board. I should also like to pay particular credit to the wonderful staff at the school whose hard work and dedication have paid such rich dividends in helping all students to achieve their potential at school, with the support of parents and carers,' he said.

Old Buckenham students Ben Barrow passed 11 GCSEs with 10 A* grades and Nicola Fincham passed 11 GCSEs with six A*s.

Students at Long Stratton High School hit their target of 73pc five or more A* to C.

'There has been a large increase in the percentage of higher grades achieved in English, Maths and Science. The results reflect the hard work of our students and staff and the support of parents. It is exciting to see the expectations and performance of the students, of all abilities, continues to grow,' said headteacher Paul Adams.

At Hethersett High School headteacher Kerry Jordan said she was 'pleased' that 71pc of students gained five or more A* to C grades.

And 85pc of students achieved five or more A* to Cs at Hethersett Old Hall School.

'We are delighted that almost 40pc of the pupils have got top grades. It is really down to the small class sizes, hard work of the pupils, and inspiration of the staff,' said headmaster Stephen Crump.