Smiles, tears, celebrations and commiserations - emotions were running high today as teenagers across the city took time out from their summer holidays to discover their GCSE results.

Students gathered at schools and colleges anxious to find out if they had earned themselves the grades they had been hoping for.

At Cheney School, in Cheney Lane, Headington, celebrations were under way as the school saw its best results ever, with 56 per cent of students gaining five A* to C grades and 30 students achieving seven or more A* or A grades.

Top of the class were Hannah Sparrowhawk and Heather Wild, who both earned themselves nine A* grades and one A.

Headteacher Jolie Kirby said she was "absolutely delighted" with the results, saying: "These marks are a testimony to the hard work of the Year 11 students and an indication of the dedicated and committed teachers and parents."

At Oxford's Peers School, headteacher Lorna Caldicott said pupils had beaten their targets with 27 per cent gaining five A* to C grades.

Caroline Paxton, from Blackbird Leys, gained six Cs, four Ds and an E. She said: "I'm really happy with that. I was predicted all Es. This morning my hands were shaking I was so nervous, now I'm over the moon and ready to celebrate."

Conor Lambe, 16, from Blackbird Leys, achieved seven Cs, two Bs, a D and an E.

He said: "It's pretty sad to leave the school, I've had good times here.

Mark Willmot, 16, from Sandford, got seven Cs, a B and two Ds.

He said: "It's not as good as I could have done but I'm happy, because I have done what I needed. I am going to the Oxford United Academy at Peers next year. I am bouncing about now and I will be celebrating later."

Ms Caldicott said: "Our staff and pupils worked very closely together to ensure each child could do their very best.

"Pupils at Peers have got their hunger for success back and know that the school will ensure they succeed."

At Wheatley Park School, in Holton, near Wheatley, 57 per cent of pupils achieved five grades A* to C, which pleased headteacher Kate Curtis.

She said: "These are Wheatley Park's best results for six years and we are proud to see every young person achieving good results. We congratulate our staff and students on their achievements."

Anna Clements, 16, from Wheatley, gained eight A*s and one A.

She said: "It was so terrifying. I was fine until I got here but when I actually picked up my results I started shaking. It has not sunk in yet. I'm off to Reading Festival to celebrate."

Rhys Denton, 16, from Cowley, gained three Bs, three Cs, a D and an E.

He said: "I wasn't expecting that, so I'm ecstatic. I was feeling really nervous, I didn't eat breakfast and I was up at 6am."

Sam Butler, 16, from Wheatley, achieved one A, three Bs and five Cs.

At Gosford Hill School, in Kidlington, 56 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A* to C grades.

Josie Bond, 16, said she was "over the moon" with one A*, three As, five Bs and a C.

She said: "It's better than I was expecting. I was so relieved when I opened the envelope."

At Matthew Arnold School, in Cumnor Hill, 64.9 per cent of students gained five or more A* to C passes.

Ten students gained nine GCSE passes at A* or A, including Hannah Smith who achieved nine A*s and Gregory Miller who earned seven A*s and two As.

Headteacher Katherine Ryan said: "Most students worked hard and very much deserve their exam successes. We are delighted with some exceptionally good performances."

At The Cherwell School in Marston Ferry Road, North Oxford, there were scores of students with plenty to smile about as 69 per cent got grades A to C.

Oxford Community School in Glanville Road, Cowley, celebrated a record-breaking set of results, with an overall pass rate of 94 per cent and 32 per cent achieving five or more A* to C grades.