Pupils at Pewsey Vale School had reason to celebrate yesterday with 96 per cent of its school leavers gaining at least five GCSEs.

More than 50 per cent of students achieved at least two A grades and the school’s BTEC courses had a 100 per cent pass rate.

Headteacher Carol Grant said: “Students and staff have worked tirelessly and I am very proud of their achievements.

“Their dedication and hard work has paid off and will be an inspiration to our current students.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents for their invaluable support.

“Having had a very busy summer with a number of new building projects in the school, we are looking forward to even greater success in 2015.”

Among the top students were James Marshall, Chloe Howe, Jess Ward, Cameron McCloughlin, Ryan Hughes and Dan Eyles.

James Marshall, who achieved three A*, three As, two Bs and a distinction, is now heading to Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College in Loughborough with hopes of becoming an officer in the Army.

He said: “I was definitely nervous before I got here this morning but some of my grades are better than I expected, I didn’t think I would get A*.”

There were hugs all around and pupils thanked their teachers for all their help over the two years as they opened their results.

Head boy Dan Eyles, who got six As, three Bs and a distinction, said: “I’m pleased with my results, I got what I needed to do maths, physics and English language at A-level.

“I don’t think the school could have been any better for me personally so I’m really grateful.”

Although there were some disappointed faces, some of the students were pleasantly surprised by the results they got.

Ryan Hughes, who got six As, a B and a distinction and an A and two Bs in exams he sat early, said: “I’m very happy and quite shocked. I expected to get more Bs so I’ve didn’t expect to do so well.”

All students have secured the college and work placements they wanted and will return to the school for a presentation evening in November.

Carys Hall is going to study performing arts at Salisbury Playhouse after obtaining three As, three Bs and a distinction.

She said: “In the morning I wasn’t really that nervous, I was more excited about getting my results.

“I would have liked to do better in drama but I’m quite pleased.”

The school is querying results in an English module and will release percentages of pupils with A*-C grades when this has been investigated.