THE wait is finally over and the class of 2006 have plenty to be pleased about.

Many schools across Worcestershire are celebrating their best ever results, with 61.5 per cent of pupils countywide achieving five or more A*-C passes, up from 59.2 per cent in 2005.

Nationally, the picture was similar, with A*-C passes running at 62 per cent.

Worcester's Elgar Technology College announced its best results in 10 years, with 27 per cent of students gaining five or more GCSEs at A* to C, up from 22 per cent last year, while Christopher Whitehead Language College was celebrating its best results ever.

Sixty per cent of the Malvern Road school students achieved five or more GCSEs at grade C or above.

One pupil, Paul Blockley, achieved an impressive seven A*s and two As. "

He gained his top grades in maths, English, PE, RE, geography and double science and he is now going on to study maths, physics, electronics and geography at Worcester Sixth Form College.

He said: "Everybody was so anxious to get their results. When they came out it was wonderful to see everybody so happy with what they'd got."

The county's top results came from Prince Henry's High School, Evesham, where 77.5 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A*-C grades; Hagley RC High School with 73.2 per cent and Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College with 72.0 per cent.

The schools with the most improved results were Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Elgar Technology College and Bewdley High School.

For the fifth successive year more than 60 per cent of the pupils at Pershore High School achieved five GCSE's at A*-C and 99.2 per cent got at least one A*-G pass. Star pupils included Giles Shaw with six A*s and five As, David Lee who got four A*s, six As and one B and Clare Fisher who got one A*, eight As and one B.

In Worcester, Bishop Perowne High School pupil Katy Flannigan was justifiably "ecstatic" with her three A*s and seven As.

She added. "I managed to forget about them over the past few months but last week started thinking about them again."

The 16-year-old, who got her A*s in Music, Expressive Art and Food Technology, is going on to study English Literature, French, Music and C lassical Civilisation at Worcester Sixth Form College.

Hanley Castle High School reported a slight drop in results, with 63 per cent of students achieving five or more A*-C grades and an overall pass rate 95 per cent.

But Rob Johnston, deputy head, was pleased with the results. He said: "Some of our more able pupils had exceptional results, but the middle and less-abled results also excelled expectations. "The results are down a bit, but everyone has done really well."

At St Mary's Convent in Worcester, every pupil got five or more A*-C grades, with almost half of the girls getting As or A*s.

At Worcester's Royal Grammar School, too, every student achieved five A*-C grades, with A*/A rates in many subjects exceeding 90 per cent.

Headmaster Andy Rattue said: "These excellent scores continue the pattern set by our A-level students. They buck the national trend away from academically challenging subjects and show what can be achieved by motivated pupils, first-rate teachers and supportive parents."

The King's School, Worcester, pushed the percentage of A* and A grades forward once again with more than half of students getting A*/A grades. Students Sophie Andrews, George Austin-Cliff, Emma Hirons, Kate Williams, Jolyon Loy and John Richardson gained A*s in all their subjects.

Headteacher Tim Keyes said: "In a year in which we had outstanding inspection report, it is most gratifying that praise has been backed up by our best ever results at GCSE by some margin. "The boys and girls have exceeded all expectation and can now embark on their A-levels with confidence."

This year the school joined other independent schools in entering students in the international maths GCSE rather than the usual GCSE. The exam-only course is welcomed by universities but not included in league tables.

Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for children's services, said: "My congratulations to all the pupils who've done very well in their GCSEs this year. Their results are a credit to their own hard work, and also to the dedication of our county's teachers and the support of parents."