THOUSANDS of pupils across Dorset and the New Forest collected their GCSE results on Thursday.

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole alone, more than 4,000 students received their eagerly-anticipated grades.

Councillor Richard Burton, portfolio holder for children, young people, education and skills at BCP Council, said: "Whether pupils are staying at school or moving on to college, training, or to an apprenticeship this is a really exciting and important time.”

At Talbot Heath School, the proportion of grades 7 to 9 increased overall by 6 per cent on last year.

Tracy Harris, headteacher at Talbot Heath, said: “All students passed every subject and 13 per cent of grades were grade 9. There were some exceptional individual performances with five students achieving 6 or more grade 9s, the very top grade possible.”

At Lytchett Minster School, Lily Taylor achieved six 9s (equivalent to A*s) and 8s. Lily, who is one of the school’s top pupils said she was really pleased with her results.

Andrew Mead, headmaster of Lytchett Minster School, said: “I would like to congratulate all our students on their superb examination results – not just those who achieve the top grades, but also those who have worked really hard, sometimes against significant odds, to obtain a pass.”

Elsewhere, Queen Elizabeth’s School pupil Adam Worsdall was “really happy” with his results.

He achieved two grade 9s, three grade 8s, five grade 7s and a grade 6.

He said he will stay at the school next year to study maths, design technology and economics at A-level.

Brian Boyes, interim headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s School, said: “I am very proud of all our students and want to say a huge well done to them all. It has been a delight to see so many happy faces in our school today.”

Mark Avoth, principal of The Bourne Academy, despite examinations being sat as “normal” this year, year 11 students have “had a very disrupted learning journey”.

He added: "However, despite these challenges, our students have shown enormous determination and resilience and it has been a pleasure to see students this morning as they came into the Academy to collect their results.”

Highcliffe School said its results in maths, English and science are “well above” the national pass rate at grade 9-4 and many Highcliffe Year 11s celebrated “brilliant results” across a range of subjects they studied.

Meanwhile, Twynham School said 79 per cent of students achieved a good pass (grade 4+) in both English and maths; and 57 per cent a strong pass (grade 5+) is English and maths.

The Grange School was celebrating its "best set of results ever".

Headteacher Deborah Hawkins said: “I am so proud of our students who thoroughly deserve the results they are receiving today. TGS continues to go from strength to strength and today’s results are testament to that. I am delighted that our community has a school of which it can be proud.”

Magna Academy said it was 'pleased its students' efforts and positive attitudes have been recognised and reflected in this year’s results'.

It said: "These results are also testament to the skill, expertise and relentless drive of all staff at the academy. The ongoing collaboration and the support of parents/carers has enabled the children and young adults in our community to continue to strive for the very best of futures."

At The Bishop of Winchester Academy, 76 per cent of students achieved a 9-4 in English and 72 per cent of students achieved a 9-4 in mathematics.

A total of 70.2 per cent of all entries were graded at least a 4 or C, 69 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths and 48 per cent of students achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and maths.

The Purbeck School said students had achieved some "exceptional" results.

Adam Darley, headteacher at The Purbeck School, said: "Huge congratulations to all of the year 11 students. As a whole this year group has posted some of the best results that the school has ever seen.”

Meanwhile, at Parkstone Grammar School, headteacher David Hallsworth, said: "We are once again delighted with the performance and application of our Year 11 cohort who have experienced significant challenges within the education system over years of their studies.”

More than a quarter (27 per cent) of all Canford School papers were awarded the top grade of 9, widely acknowledged as beyond an A*, compared with 5 per cent of papers nationally and over half (53 per cent) of all Canford GCSEs were graded 9-8 compared with 12.1 per cent across the country.

LEAF Studio said overall results are up "significantly" from 2023-24.

The school said the students "successfully demonstrated their ability to juggle both their specialism careers in sport or performing arts alongside the rigours of their academic studies and many students came out with exceptional results".

At Ferndown Upper School, more than 80 per cent gained grade 4s and above with more than 60 per cent of students gaining a grade 5 or higher and 20 per cent of students gaining the top grades.

Philip Jones, headteacher of Ferndown Upper School, said: “There have been some brilliant GCSE achievements today both for individual students and across the whole year group, following an equally successful A Level results day last week.”

St Edward’s School said its year 11 students have achieved a "fantastic set" of results this year which is a "testament to their hard work and commitment not just over the past two years, but throughout their time at St Edward’s School".

Bournemouth School said it was celebrating amongst its best ever results. One student achieved the remarkable feat of achieving grade 9s in all 11 of his GCSE subjects. A further 20 students achieved a “clean sweep” of grades 9-7 in all of the 11 subjects that they studied.

The Arnewood School said a “majority” of its students will continue their education at the school’s sixth form.

In terms of attainment, subject highlights included modern foreign languages, religious studies, computer science, music, art, drama and food preparation and nutrition.