STUDENTS across Ipswich and Felixstowe are today learning their fate after the wait for GCSE results came to an end.

Thousands of youngsters queued up outside schools today to discover whether their hard work was worth it.

At Copleston High School, headteacher Shaun Common said results were “pleasing”, with 61per cent of students getting A* to C grades including English and Maths.

Mr Common said: “There have been some pleasing individual performances from students and our congratulations go to all students, their families and staff who have worked hard to achieve these results.”

At Kesgrave High School, headteacher Nigel Burgoyne said the school was appealing English results which they believe were an “injustice”.

The school achieved 65pc A* to C including English and Maths.

Mr Burgoyne said: “We are delighted that 87% of students achieved more than 5 A*-C grades (without English and maths), rewarding the superb endeavour of the students. Of particular note are exceptional results in Maths and Science with over 80% achieving A*-C grades.

“English results are 10pc down on the previous ten years, and we will be appealing with the exam board, as we sense an injustice.“

More than two-thirds of pupils at Northgate High School have achieved five or more A* to C grades including maths and English, with 66pc making the grade.

Headteacher David Hutton said: “With 78pc of our GCSE grades being awarded at A* to C our headline figure would have been even better but for one frustrating core module result.”

Chantry High School pupils scored 41pc gained five A* to Cs including maths and English.

Headteacher Janet Dickson said: “We are particularly pleased with our results in maths with 60pc of pupils achieving C grades or higher.

At Ipswich School 99.2pc of pupils earned five A* to C grades including maths and English.

Headmaster Nicholas Weaver said: “I’m particularly pleased that with one of our biggest ever year groups we have been able to provide them with the same kind of quality focus as smaller schools, which has enabled such great results.”

Dennis McGarry, headteacher at St Albans Catholic High School, said students had achieved “outstanding” results despite a “mysterious downturn” in English results.

He said: “There has been a mysterious downturn in our English results and we are looking in to the reasons for this.

“This has had an impact on the majority of students on the C/D borderline.

“Students within the upper grade boundaries do not seem to be affected by this.

“There have been some excellent individual performances. All other subjects have either met or surpassed their predictions.”

The school achieved 60pc A* to C with English and maths – ten per cent less than predicted.

Last year the former Thurleston High School achieved 37pc A* to C grades at GCSE including English and maths. Since becoming the Ormiston Endeavour Academy seven months ago, staff are celebrating after that figure rose by to 52pc.

New principal Samantha Penn said: “Students and staff have worked so hard to gain these results and I think we will see these continue to rise year-on-year. This is a fantastic academy and, with these results, staff and students have really shown what they can do. I’d like to thank staff and students for their hard work.”

Staff at Holbrook High School, which is currently in special measures, were “absolutely delighted” with 60pc of students achieving A* to C including English and maths.

Deputy headteacher Nicola Shelley said: “We are delighted, students, staff, the whole school.

“Obviously there is more to do but this is a great foundation to go forwards.”

At East Bergholt High School there was disappointment - just 50% of pupils got five or more A* to C grades including English and maths.

Colin Turner, headteacher, said: “Over 89% of students achieved 5 A*- C grades, a new school record, although we are extremely disappointed that the percentage of students achieving 5 A*- C grades including English and maths was only 50%.

“However there were many outstanding individual performances; with 30% of students achieving at least 5 A*/A grades. The students worked extremely hard for their examinations and deserve every success.”

Suffolk New College were also celebrating as 58pc received A* to C grades including maths and English.

Meanwhile, students at Stoke High School were busy celebrating fantastic maths results, with 60pc achieving above a grade C.

A statement from the school said 41pc of the students were successful in achieving A* to C including English and maths, with more than a quarter of students gaining at least one A grade.

Twenty-nine of the students at Royal Hospital School, in Holbrook, achieved As or A*s. Headmaster James Lockwood said: “We are delighted with the number of pupils for whom sheer hard work and commitment has paid off.”

Pupils at St Joseph’s College in Belstead Road were celebrating their crop of “exceptional results” which broke records, with 91pc of eligible UK students achieving A* to C grades.

Sian Grant, principal of the college, said: “It is just reward for all of their dedication and application over the last two years.”

At Ipswich High School, over a third of the students achieved straight A* and A grades.

Twins Alice and Emily Robinson are celebrating an incredible nineteen A*s and three A grades at GCSE, along with two distinctions in their Thinking and Reasoning qualifications.

Elaine Purves, Head of Ipswich High School, said: “For both girls to achieve this extraordinary double is wonderful. They have such energy, dedication and enthusiasm for their sporting and academic results and thoroughly deserve our congratulations.”