THOUSANDS of pupils have celebrated another record year of GCSE results.

Schools throughout Worcestershire have reported a record year, with grades beating all expectations and targets.

Among those celebrating huge success were three Worcester students whose results were among the best in the country.

Elsewhere schools highlighted a stream of pupils who had walked away with up to 11A*s.

Their success has earned the praise of Worcestershire County Council.

Almost 5,500 county students received their results yesterday - 63.6 per cent achieved the benchmark five or more A*-C passes, compared with 59 per cent in 2006.

Coun 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 not least parents. I am particularly pleased to see improvement across schools.

"Our best performing school, Haybridge High School, has nearly 100 per cent of pupils achieving national standards, and 36 pupils at Elgar Technology College, achieved nine or more A*-C GCSE grades contributing to significant improvement in that school as well."

Richard Hubbard, director of children's services added: "There is nothing more important for us to focus on than the safety, well-being and achievement of our young people."

Mr Hubbard stressed the need to recognise the increasingly wide range of vocational qualifications which are being gained by school pupils in Worcestershire.

Vocational results are not all announced at the same time as GCSE results and won't be fully published utnil the National Secondary School Performance Tables come out in December.

"Overall it looks as if our schools have improved standards of achievement over last year by around five per cent resulting in approximately 64 per cent of young people achieving above national levels in 2007," he said.

Across the country there was a similar picture with the A* to C pass rate increasing from 62.4 per cent to 63.3 per cent, although the percentage of A* to G grades fell slightly from 98.1 to 98 per cent.

Nationally pupils excelled in English and maths. A* to C grades for English rose from 61.6 per cent to 62.2 per cent and 54.3 per cent to 55.2 for maths.

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "Good GCSEs are the product of the hard work of students and teachers - everyone should take pride in these results.

"The steady improvement over the last 10 years is unarguable evidence of rising achievement and the benefits of sustained investment in teaching and resources."

BLOB: If your exam results were higher or lower than expected call the One Life results helpline on 0808 100 8000.

Top five schools for pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades: Haybridge High School and Sixth Form Waseley Hills High School Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College St Augustine's Catholic High School Hagley Roman Catholic High School Five schools with the most improved results: Waseley Hills High School Baxter College Woodrush High School Elgar Technology College Hanley Castle High School Arrow Vale Community High School Sports College