The nervous wait ended on Thursday for the thousands of Kent students expecting their GCSE results.

KentOnline was in schools across the county as students opened envelopes to find out if they'd made the grade.

Got your results and unsure what to do next? We can help - find out more here >>>

To find your area, either scroll down the page or click the links below:

• Thanet

• West Kent

• East Kent

• South Kent

• KCC 'really proud' of record-breaking results >>>

• Medway: Well done - it's another record year >>>

Thanet

Ramsgate's Marlowe Academy recorded a 13 per cent pass rate, taking into account English and maths in the five A* to C benchmark, the Government's new standards indicator.

This almost doubles last year's seven per cent - which was one of the poorest performances in the UK.

Principal Ian Johnson said: "The goalposts have been moved with this new English and maths marker. We have spectacularly met the old standard of five GCSEs A* to C - now we have a new challenge to meet 30 per cent five GCSEs including English and maths by 2011."

Chatham House Grammar School, also in Ramsgate, celebrates another record year, with 97.3 per cent achieving five A8 to C grades, including English and maths - but head teacher John Mathews has called for an urgent review of both existing GCSEs and the emerging diplomas to ensure they are of equivalent standard.

He said: "Some GCSEs are easier than others and the picture is very confusing for employers and even sixth form and university admissions’ tutors.

"But don't let me take anything away from the vast majority of boys here who have worked as hard – or harder – than previous generations of Chatham House School boys."

Meanwhile, principal Andy Somers praised "an Olympian effort by students, staff and parents" to achieve a record year at Hartsdown Technology College in Margate.

The pass level for five A-C or more, including English and maths, increased to 18 per cent.

He said: "This truly is a gold medal performance – we have surpassed our best ever rating from last year by at least 10 per cent."

• For more details from Thanet, go to thanetextra.co.uk >>>

West Kent

Cranbrook's Angley School students achieved a 60 per cent pass rate for five or more grades at A* to C.

Sixteen outstanding students gained a large number of pass grades including three or more A or A*s, while more than 95 per cent of the year group gained five or more A* to G grades.

Principal Philip Morris said. "The students performed magnificently. Their approach to their studies in the run up to the exam period was outstanding and they have achieved just reward for their fantastic efforts."

Wrotham School saw 39 per cent gaining 5 A* to C grades, including English and maths - the second year in a row there has been improvement in the core subject area.

Overall, 60 per cent of students gained five general GCSE at A* C.

Head teacher David Day said: "Ultimately, good results come down to the hard work of students and the quality of teaching. Nothing else is as important.

The school had 47 Grade A and A* awards with an extra eight BTEC distinctions making a record 55 grades achieved at the highest level.

• For more details, results and pictures from west Kent schools, go to kentmessenger.co.uk >>>

Celebrations were the order of the day at the Spires Academy in Sturry, near Canterbury where 73 per cent of pupils gained five A* to C grades.

Principal Ian Johnson said: "I am absolutely delighted by these results."

At Simon Langton Girls' School over 75 per cent of grades achieved in English, maths and science were A or A*.

Astor College, Dover, expressed delight at a four per cent rise (to 27 per cent) in the number of students obtaining five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths.

"This demonstrated considerable progress towards the highly controversial, discriminatory and damaging Government targets," said a spokesman.

• For more from the Canterbury, Faversham, Herne Bay and Whitstable area, go to kentishgazette.co.uk >>>

• For more from Dover, Deal and Sandwich, go to eastkentmercury.co.uk >>>

South Kent

Shrieks of delight and tears of joy were the predominant reactions from students collecting their GCSE results at schools across Ashford and Shepway.

It was another record-breaking year for Ashford’s Highworth Grammar School with results up on last year. Impressively, 54 per cent of the grades awarded to pupils were As or A*s.

Head teacher Paul Danielsen said: "These are outstanding results and the best the school has ever had."

Meanwhile, Folkestone's Harvey Grammar School for Boys also had its best ever year with 33.1 per cent of all grades being A*s or As.

Senior vice principal Phil Harding said: "The staff and pupils are very pleased. The results reflect all the hard work put in and they are what the pupils deserve."

• For more from south Kent, go to kentishexpress.co.uk >>>

What do I do next?

If you haven't got the results you want, don't worry, there is still hope with all sorts of alternative qualifications such as BTECs and NVQs that can get you into university.

Some colleges also offer apprenticeships preparing you for the workplace.

KentOnline has put together a full guide on what to do next, with tips galore to help you. Just click here for more advice.

If you want to share your joy with us, email pictures (jpeg format) of you and your fellow students celebrating your results.

Don't forget to give us a left to right of who is in the photo, and details of your school.