Students were jumping with joy this morning after the nervous wait for their GCSE results came to an end.

Year 11 students across Borehamwood nervously ripped open their GCSE results today after months of waiting since they sat the exams earlier this year.

At Hertswood Academy, pupils flocked to the lower school in Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, where they found out their futures in a balloon filled hall.

Year 11 student Joe Nunes was almost stunned into silence after he tore open his brown envelope to find out his results this morning.

The aspiring stock broker had achieved a school record, taking home eight A*s and four As.

Headteacher Peter Gillett said: “Joe got the best results we have ever had at the school, and is a top sports man.”

Joe will continue studying at Hertswood Academy for A-levels, and has chosen to read maths, further maths, politics and geography.

He said: “I’m shocked… I’m really just so speechless.

“I was expecting to get a couple of A*s but no way near this many. I did work hard so I would have been disappointed if I didn’t get good grades, but to get such good grades is overwhelming.”

Lauren Hall, 16, was also very pleased with her set of results, having achieved three A*s and eight A grades.

She said: “My dad is gutted as he promised me a grand if I got all A’s and A*s, which I did, so he’s not happy.”

Lauren will be staying at the academy to study A-levels in maths, literature, politics and history.

Students enjoyed ice creams and balloons throughout the morning, as excited chatter filled the school hall as they swapped results.

Olivia Bennett, 16, achieved 3 Cs and 3 Bs and said she is most of proud of her grades in science and maths after waking up at 8am and going into school on Saturdays to work towards them.

She will go on to study animal care at Oaklands College.

This year’s grades have been the best in the school’s history, with the top five students in the year achieving 36 A*s and 15 As.

A total of 73 per cent of students gained A* to C in their maths, and 84 per cent gained A* to C in science.

Over the last three years, the school has also seen a 24 per cent increase in grades overall, with 60 per cent of students achieving A* to C in five subjects or more.

Mr Gillett said: “These are our best ever results in the history of the school.

“We are delighted with these results and it is a testament to the hard work of ourt students, staff and the support of the parents.

“We’re over the moon.”