Ref. 71932-32 Luke Foden, left, and Chris Shipp who set off to the Reading Festival after getting their GCSE resultsGCSE RESULTS: KINGSDOWN School in Stratton Margaret was a scene of celebration yesterday as students descended en masse to collect their results.

David Williams, headteacher at the school for almost 15 years, said: "The results are very good. You just have to look at the smiles on the faces of the kids. Most of them have got what they need to go on to do what they want to do, and one or two have done wonderfully well.

"Each year has its own character. This year may not be the most academically gifted but it is one of the hardest working and friendliest.

"It's amazing these days the number of students who turn up on the day. It's like a family get-together. Some have even come here on their way to the Reading Festival."

Luke Foden, 16, from Stratton, who was carrying a rucksack ready to dash off to the festival, said: "I got five Bs and four Cs which is better than I needed to go to New College for A-levels. These results are well good. I did better than I expected in most of them.

"We're just going straight off to Reading to celebrate."

Chris Shipp, 16, of Stratton, gained one A, four Bs and four Cs.

He said: "Quality. I definitely got good results, which proves that you don't need to revise to do well.

"I was dreading having to re-do some exams, so these results are all good."

Danielle John, 16, from Kings-down, got one B, three Cs and one D.

She said: "I got the grades I need to do a personal trainer course at New College. I'm very happy because I am one step further towards what I want to do."

Fiona Bradbury, 16, from Stratton, gained six As and four Bs.

She said: "I needed five Bs to get to do the international Baccal-aureat at Cirencester College, so I'm very excited.

"We went to Cirencester for an open day and they told us about the Baccalaureat. I think it's a more rounded education."

Kerry Grimshaw, 16, of Stratt-on, said: "I got five As and four Bs. I'm well excited. I can't wait to run home and tell my mum. I think she'll cry."

But it was not all good news.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Shear-man, of Lower Stratton, gained three Cs and three Ds.

She said: "I'm really depressed. I needed four Cs to get in to do an HND in animal management at Lackham. I think they might still let me in."