Ref. 71928-16 Left, Rebecca Hillier, Kathryn Rawlins and Ella GregoryGGCSE RESULTS: PUPILS at Highworth's Warneford School were planning parties after opening record results.

After much nail-biting, most pupils tore open their results to find they had more than matched their expectations.

Zoe Barker, 16, of Faringdon was among the highest achievers. She was delighted with her eight A*s and two As.

"I'm shell-shocked by my results," she said.

"I was trying not to think about it as I opened them, I was expecting the worst."

She will start at St Clare's in Oxford next month where she will begin the International Baccleur-eate, the European version of A -Levels, which encompasses at least six subjects and discourages specialising.

Also celebrating was Kathryn Rawlins, of The Willows, High-worth, who achieved eight A*s and two Bs.

"I thought they had made a mistake when I opened my envelope," she said.

"I wasn't expecting to do so well. I hadn't been worrying about it though."

She will now go to New College to study history, biology, chem-istry and maths. Her friend, Nicola Riggs, of Stanford in the Vale, was equally as pleased with her results.

Her A*, seven As and two Bs are the first step on her way to becoming a vet.

She will begin four A levels in biology, chemistry, maths and physics at King Edward's sixth form in Wantage next month.

Headteacher John Saunders said: "This is the best set of results the school has ever had."