ANXIOUS teenagers across the borough ripped open their GCSE results today to see if their hard work had paid off.

Overall figures are not yet verified, a Dudley Council spokesman said and changes to GCSE exams this year have made it is difficult to compare and contrast results against previous years.

But despite the changes, Ridgewood High School students have celebrated its "best ever" results, with 63 per cent of youngsters getting five A*-C grades including English and maths.

Headteacher Clive Nutting praised both the students and staff for achieving the record results "at a time when the exams and grading systems are becoming far more challenging and rigorous".

Youngsters at Redhill also performed well, with 70 per cent of pupils clinching five or more A*-C results, including English and maths.

Headteacher, Stephen Dunster, said: “We love to celebrate the achievement of every pupil at Redhill School. For some, this means the highest grades but for many it is the achievement of their personal best and gaining the grades that allow them to go on to the courses they have planned."

Hot on the heels of last week’s A-level success, Hagley Catholic High School pupils were celebrating as they opened their results.

Headteacher Ted Hammond revealed that 80 per cent of students secured five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths.

Nearly one in three pupils have at least five A*/A grades and 10 pupils scored 10 or more A*/A grades, which Mr Hammond said was a "truly dazzling achievement".

He continued: “These are quite remarkable results for a non-selective intake; virtually all of the pupils have attained five A*-G qualifications."

There was cause for celebration at Old Swinford Hospital School as 70.11 per cent obtained the obligatory five or more top grades, including English and maths.

The Heath Lane school received some outstanding individual results with Stourbridge pupil Oliver Mann, achieved A* grades in all nine subjects taken, and Zain Ahmed from Brierley Hill, achieving two A*s, six As and one B.

Incoming headmaster, Paul Kilbride, said “I would like to congratulate our hardworking staff and students on these examination results. "I wish the students every success as they continue their studies in our sixth form or enter into colleges of higher education.”

There were plenty of smiles at Edgecliff High School as 68 per cent of pupils attained at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths.

Top performers included Lydia Smith, who got seven A*s and four As and Sam Brown who received five A*s and six As.

Headteacher Chris Rogers said: “Our students worked extremely hard and deserve their success and our congratulations."

The Crestwood School in Kingswinford, saw 60 per cent, of students get top grades, including English and maths and at Summerhill 66 per cent of youngsters gained five or more A* to C grades including English and maths.

Meanwhile The Wordsley School saw 50 per cent of youngsters get passes at grades A* to C, including English and maths and 57 per cent of students at Pedmore Technology College in Lye got five or more top grades, including English and maths.

There were also lots of celebrations at Elmfield School in Oldswinford, where a whopping 85 per cent of final year students picked up five or more A*s to C grades.

The Kingswinford School were overjoyed with their GCSE successes -  75 per cent of students at the Water Street school gained five or more A*-C grades.

Dudley's education chief Councillor Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children’s services, congratulated students across the borough.

He said: “I would like to congratulate all pupils who have received their results today and wish them every success for the future. “I would like to personally thank all the pupils, parents, staff and governors for their support in achieving these results.”