PUPILS and teachers in Stroud rose to the challenge of tougher GCSE exams this year.
At Thomas Keble School in Eastcombe, they bucked the national trend with their best results.
"It's a testament to the pupils, staff and parents for these record breaking results," said Julia Maunder, who took over as headteacher last year.
"It's a real team effort and we are delighted given the harder marking that we have been able to break all school records."
Emily Drakeley, 16, from Bussage was doubly delighted as her seven As, an A* and four Bs, not only paved the way for her to study A levels at Cirencester College, but also won a bet with her dad.
"He said if I got five or more As he would take me to see Real Madrid play, which he's got to do now," she laughed.
Will Duggleby, 16, from Stroud wants to study A levels at Cirencester College to get him in to medical school and become a doctor, after getting eight A*s, four As and a B.
"I am over the moon," he said. "I have loved my time here. I wanted a comprehensive education and I got the best of it here."
Twins Joe and Mike Trim got almost identical results and will study the same A Levels.
Mike said his eight A*s and five As compared to Joe's seven A*s and six As don't giving him family bragging rights.
"We're both just really pleased," he said. "We tried to look at other subjects to study but came back to the same ones."
They will be in the same lectures for English Literature, geography, biology and chemistry at Cirencester College in September.
Luke Jones, 16, from Chalford, wants to be a sports psychiatrist, after getting three A*s, four As and five Bs.
"It's a bit better than I expected," said Luke, who is going to study A levels at Hartpury College.
Laura Pitman, 16, from Stroud is heading for Stroud High School for Girls sixth form with three A*s, four As, and four Bs.
"I didn't expect that at all," she said. "I would like to study something to do with biology at university after A Levels."
Ben Cockshull, 16, from Bussage got three A*s, six As, three Bs and a C, and will study at Cirencester College with an eye on biological or zoological studies at university.
Archway headteacher Colin Belford said the results exceeded expectations and were the second best for the school.
"We have had children jumping up and down for joy this morning," he said. "I am very proud of them and the staff.
"Once again we are very pleased with our results which show children can achieve with us."
