What a result!

Nationally, GCSE results generally have risen again with more than 62 per cent of pupils getting A* to C grades. And records were broken in many local schools.

Arnewood School recorded its best ever results, with at least a 70 per cent pass rate at 5 A*-C. Head teacher Chris Hummerstone said: "Seventy per cent is a fantastic benchmark to reach with a year group of 250 pupils in a comprehensive school."

At Ashdown Technology College 56 per cent of students gained five GCSEs at grades A* to C, the school's second highest ever set of results. "Many students achieved outstanding personal success," said head teacher Elizabeth Jones.

Avonbourne School head teacher Deborah Godfrey-Phaure said: "Sixty-five per cent of all our students achieved five or more passes at A*-C, with 72 students achieving nine, 10 or 11 passes A*-C. Following our excellent Ofsted inspection in June, these results have put the icing on the cake."

Ballard School pupils have notched up an 85 per cent pass rate this year of five or more A* to Cs. Head teacher Stephen Duckitt said: "These results reflect the benefit of smaller classes and rigorous teaching."

Bishop of Winchester School says its record-breaking results show that inspectors were right to take the school out of special measures. More than 29 per cent of pupils achieved five A* to C, compared with 22 per cent last year, and 18 per cent if English and maths are included.

At Bournemouth School, 80 per cent of boys clocked up at least five A or A* grades. Six boys managed a perfect 10 grade A*s. Head teacher John Granger said: "I think the teachers are getting better at preparing pupils for exams, and our experience is that the boys realise the importance of GCSEs, so work pretty hard."

Bournemouth School for Girls head teacher Alistair Brien said: "Another excellent set of results with a 100 per cent five A*-C pass rate. Twenty-eight girls had the outstanding achievement of gaining all As and A*s, and six girls were amongst the top nationally in French and religious studies."

Canford School had its highest A* pass rate ever, with 37 per cent of grades at A* and 74 per cent at A*/A. Headmaster John Lever said: "At a time when maths, sciences and languages are declining nationally in standard and popularity, I am delighted that these subjects remain so strong at Canford."

Carter Community School achieved the highest results in the school's history with 41 per cent of students gaining five A*-C grades.

At Corfe Hills, 76 per cent achieved five GCSEs at grades A*-C. The proportion of students with five 5 A*-C including English and maths rose to 62 per cent. Everyone gained at least one GCSE and 97 per cent passed at least five.

Ferndown Upper School is celebrating its best ever GCSEs, with more students than ever gaining A* to C grades.

There was disappointment at Glenmoor School when two examining boards failed to deliver pupils' results for two subjects on time. Incoming head Roger Allen is chasing up the missing results but even without them he says the percentage of students achieving five A* to C grades is up.

Grange School head teacher Mark Stenton said: "We're pleased that this year's results maintain our trajectory of improvement and delighted that students have achieved results that reward their hard work."

At Gryphon School 68 per cent of pupils passed with grades A* to C, and 63 per cent achieved the equivalent of five or more A* to C.

Highcliffe School also has its best results with 71 per cent of students achieving five or more A* to C grades, or 62 per cent if you include English and maths. Head teacher Judith Potts the results "show an upward trend over the past three years and maintain our position as one of Dorset's high achieving schools".

Staff at Lytchett Minster School saw 67 per cent of students gaining five or more A* to C grades. 100 per cent have five or more passes at GCSE and 45 per cent of students with 10 or more A* to C. "Students across the whole ability spectrum can be proud of their spectacular achievements," said headmaster Stuart Clark.

Staff at Oakmead College of Technology say they are "absolutely delighted" by their best results to date, with 48 per cent of pupils notching up five A* to C grades.

It was a record year at Parkstone Grammar with one top student achieving 12 A*s and another three pupils 11 A*s. More than two-thirds of the grades were A* or A, and 100 per cent of the pupils notched up at least 5 A* to Cs.

Poole Grammar School students achieved some stunning GCSE results with a near 100 per cent pass rate, including nearly 84 per cent A*, A, and B grades and many pupils achieving 10+ A*, A grades.

Records have been matched at Priestlands School with 65 per cent of students securing five or more grades at A* to C, equalling the school's record set two years ago. 53 per cent achieved five or more A*-C grades including maths and English.

Purbeck School deputy head Karen Godsall says she was "very, very pleased" with the school's results, after 69 per cent of students gained at least 5 A* to C grades.

At Queen Elizabeth's School more than 65 per cent of pupils gained five or more at grades A* to C. Head teacher Andy Puttock said: "I am delighted with the success of every single student."

Staff and students at Rossmore Community College were on a high after the school's best results for a decade. Twenty-seven per cent of students achieved at least 5 A*-C grades - a 17 per cent increase over the previous year.

A new school record was set at St Edward's School with 73 per cent of students attaining five or more A* - C grades and there was also a significant increase in the number of A*, A and B grades.

For the second year running more than 98 per cent of grades at St Mary's School were between A* and C. Head Richard James said: "Results for the single sciences and maths were particularly good as were Latin."

St Peter's School deputy head Angie Wazesjewski said: "Another year in which St Peter's is thrilled with the results at all levels."

Shaftesbury School head teacher David Booth says students have produced another set of "magnificent" results. He said: "Their achievements are a just reward for their conscientious approach to their studies and a reflection of the quality of teaching."

Talbot Heath School has recorded a 99 per cent pass rate in this year's GCSE results, with nearly three quarters of candidates (72 per cent) achieving A* or A grades. Christine Dipple, headmistress, said: "We're delighted with these results."

At Twynham School 97 per cent of pupils gained five or more passes and 72 per cent of pupils had five or more A*-C grades - the highest in the school's history so far.

At Uplands School retiring head Linda Shah celebrated her last days at the school with a bumper crop of A*, A and B grades, and 94 per cent of pupils gaining 5 A* to Cs.

Another outstanding year for Wentworth College with more than 91 per cent of students gaining five or more A*-C grades. There were some excellent individual results with 6 per cent of girls achieving 10 A* and As.

l Schools not listed in this rundown couldn't be contacted yesterday.