There were plenty of smiles and happy tears as students across the city collected their GCSE results.

Year 11 students across Worcester opened their results on Thursday morning (August 22).

And there was plenty to celebrate for the cohort who started high school the September before the start of the covid pandemic.

In Worcestershire, 67 per cent achieved a grade 4 (standard pass) and above.

Nunnery Wood High School's headteacher Steve Powell said: "The students have excelled in many cases, and core subjects such as English, maths and science have gone up again - above the national average."

Nunnery student Victoria Wasari, 16, was one of those who found out their results at school

She said: "I am so happy. I worked really hard but my grades are better than I thought.

"I had sleepless nights but it was all worth it."

Daniel Adesola, 16, said: "I am so happy with my results.

"It was a lot of hard work but the effort has paid off and was definitely worth it."

There were tears of joy for Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College student, Evie Bateman, 16, who said: "I was so happy, because I didn't think I would pass English or maths - but I have.

Evie has ambitions to become a ski and sports instructor. 

She added: "I'll be able to go to Hartpury College now and study sports and outdoor activities."

Blessed Edward Oldcorne student Eva Chikurunhe, 16, plans to attend Worcester Sixth Form College.

She said: "It has gone good - better than I thought.

"The exams, like biology, were harder than I had expected so I was a bit worried."

Fifteen year 11 students at Royal Grammar School (RGS) Worcester achieved either grades 8 or 9 across the board, while three of those achieved straight grade 9s.

The school's headmaster, John Pitt, said: "We were delighted with our GCSE results last year, but this year group has set the bar even higher and are also our largest ever year 11."

King's Worcester announced another "superb year" of GCSE results, and its deputy head academic, Katie Beever, said: "We are incredibly proud of our pupils' achievements this year. It’s great to see so many who are rightly thrilled with their results.

"These results are a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of their families."