Most schools in the area recorded their best ever set of results, including Blyth Community College where the pass rate was up by a massive 19 per cent from last year.

Fifty-five per cent of Year 11 students at the college recorded five or more A*-C grades, and delighted headteacher Bridget Knowles was full of praise for the young achievers.

"They've done so well," she said.

"We've had some of the best ever individual results for students, and a record number are going into the sixth form in September."

Astley High School pupils and staff were also celebrating an improved set of results, with 80 per cent of youngsters gaining at least five A*-Cs, compared to 64 per cent last year, and 57 per cent in 2006.

Assistant headteacher Annette Rhodes said the results were particularly pleasing after the disappointing Ofsted inspection of 2005 where the school was just rated 'satisfactory'.

"We had predicted a 78 per cent pass rate for this year, but in our wildest dreams didn't dare hope we would do better than that," she said.

A record-breaking 85 per cent of Year 11 pupils at Cramlington High School achieved five or more A*-C grades.

Deputy headteacher Andy Reeman said: "These are excellent GCSE results,
which are testament to the hard work of staff and students. "Our congratulations go out to all of them."

There were smiles all round in Ashington too, where Hirst High School pupils recorded the establishment's best ever set of results, with just under 50 per cent gaining five A*-Cs.

One pupil, Natalie Johnson, even gained 12 A* grades.

Proud headteacher Lesley Craig said: "These pupils are my Olympians, and this is my Team GB."

On the other side of town, Ashington High School youngsters were also celebrating after 54 per cent gained at least five A*-C grades.

It was the first set of GCSE exams under new headteacher Rob Kitching, and he expressed his delight at the 12 per cent improvement on last year's pass rate.

Meanwhile, Bedlington High School's Year 11 pupils raised the pass rate to 54 per cent, an increase of two per cent on last year's results.

Headteacher Kieran McGrane said it had been a difficult year, but the results were still the school's best ever.