THOUSANDS of teenagers across Harrow have been celebrating great GCSE grades.

The former Year 11 students, largely 16 years old, smiled, screamed and sobbed as they opened their results envelopes on Thursday morning to find out how well they had done in the examinations sat earlier this summer.

Rooks Heath College for Business and Enterprise, in Eastcote Lane, South Harrow, recorded a 9% rise on the percentage of students who earned five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, while Canons High School in Shaldon Road, Edgware, saw a 10% jump.

Headteacher Dr John Reavley said: "We have made a substantial improvement this year in both five A* to C and five A* to C including English and maths.

"Given the nature of our cohort, this represents massive value added and reflects the total commitment of the whole college community."

It was touch and go at Salvatorian College in High Street, Wealdstone, as the postman did not deliver the paper results until the last moment before the 134 boys were due to collect them. Nevertheless, 70 per cent of students gained at least five A* to Cs.

Headteacher Andrew Graham said: "I'm delighted with the results. We have maintained our high standards and I'm really pleased that all the boys in the year group have succeeded this year – it means that boys, whatever their ability, can do really well at Salvatorian College."

He picked out Matty Sodah - pictured - as one of the school's top achievers.

There were 136 students receiving their envelopes at The Sacred Heart Language College, High Street, Wealdstone, which reported that 90 per cent of pupils had achieved the five good GCSEs benchmark.

Headteacher Geraldine Higgins, said: "We are delighted for all of our students. These results reflect their hard work, determination and positive attitude.

"It is a real testament to the dedication and skill of their teachers, who instil a strong sense of self-belief in our students and challenge each young person to aim high."

Jonathan Miller is headteacher at Jewish Free School in The Mall, Kenton, where 93 per cent of students achieved five A* to C grades.

He said: "These GCSE results, following our record A-level results last week, reinforce the JFS record of consistent excellence over many years and I extend my hearty congratulations to students, parents and teachers."

Full results - see page 2

SCHOOL – PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS EARNING 5 OR MORE GCSES AT GRADES A* TO C

Bentley Wood High School for Girls, Bridges Road, Stanmore – 74 (70)

Buckingham College School, Hindes Road, Harrow* - 82 (n/a)

Canons High School, Shaldon Road, Edgware – 70 (60)

Harrow High School and Sports College, Gayton Road, Harrow – 77 (71)

Harrow School, High Street, Harrow on the Hill* - 100 (100)

Hatch End High School, Headstone Lane, Harrow – 72 (66)

Heathfield School, Beaulieu Drive, Pinner* - 100 (100)

Jewish Free School, The Mall, Kenton – 93 (87)

North London Collegiate School, Canons Drive, Edgware* - n/a (n/a)

Nower Hill High School, George V Avenue, Pinner – 82 (77)

Park High School, Thistlecroft Gardens, Stanmore – 80 (78)

Peterborough and St Margaret's School for Girls, Common Road, Stanmore* - 100

Rooks Heath College for Business and Enterprise, Eastcote Lane, South Harrow – 66 (57)

Salvatorian College, High Street, Wealdstone – 70 (70)

The John Lyon School, Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill* - n/a (n/a)

The Sacred Heart Language College, High Street, Wealdstone – 90 (90)

Whitmore High School, Porlock Avenue, West Harrow – 73 (72)

NB: * indicates independent schools

NB: 2008 percentage in brackets