STUDENTS across Dorset have been celebrating their GCSE results after an 11th hour government U-turn led to a national rise in grades - but thousands of Btec students are still waiting to find out their marks following a last-minute review.

Nationally, over a quarter of GCSEs were awarded top grades, up from around a fifth last year. A total of 27.5 per cent of results were marked at Grade 7 or above – equivalent to an A or A* - compared to 21.8 per cent last year, while 79% were handed pass marks, up from 70% last year.

At Thomas Haryde School in Dorchester, results were higher than last year, reflecting the national picture.

One student, Sam Winstanley, is celebrating after achieving 10 Grade 9s and one Grade 8.

He said: “I have mixed feelings about not doing exams. I was happy to be relieved of the stress of taking them but at the same time I have worked really hard and was looking forward to proving myself.

“I am bit nervous now for Sixth Form as I have never done a series of exams, but I am over the moon with my results.”

Sam will be continuing at Thomas Hardye Sixth Form to sit A Levels in History, Geography, Spanish and Politics, and dreams of studying at Oxford or Cambridge University in the future.

Dominic Nugent, 16, said: "I am feeling over the moon. I got a Grade 3 in one of my mocks and ended up getting an 8 so I am really happy. I got a 7 in my French mock and a 9 as my mark so I’m thrilled. I'm staying here for Sixth Form and studying Maths, Physics, Theatre Studies and French."

For the first time ever, students across the country have been awarded entirely based on Centre assessed grades after exams were scrapped amid the coronavirus pandemic.

There was anger last week during A-Level results when grades were awarded using a statistical algorithm created by exam regulator Ofqual. But the government made a U-turn ahead of GCSE results meaning the statistical grades only come into play if they are higher than the assessed markings.

Teacher and Head of College at Thomas Hardye, Kate Biddle, was thrilled to see her students again after five months.

She said: "For me it is so nice to see our students again. They all look well which is lovely as we haven’t seen them since March. School is a very strange place without students.

"It is the best decision that the marking system has changed and it is unfortunate that A Level students suffered in the process. I would have thought the students would have been thrilled not to take their exams but they are not at all."

However, not all Thomas Hardye students have been advantaged by using the assessed grading system.

Caja Whapples, 16, said: "I am a bit worried because I haven’t got the grades I needed to get into Sixth Form. I was right on the edge of getting the grades I needed so I think if I had done exams I would have worked really hard and got higher grades. I don’t know what to do now. I’ll speak to my teachers and see what my next step is."

Lesley Bishop, Principal of Atlantic Academy in Portland, said she was 'incredibly proud' of the students at her school.

She said: "They have had so much taken away from them this year and we are really pleased today to be able to be given a chance to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements."

Principal of All Saints Church of England Academy, John Cornish, said he was pleased that all of his students are now able to progress onto further education.

He said: "We are really pleased that students’ efforts throughout their five years of secondary education at All Saints have been appropriately awarded in an unprecedented year. We know all of our pupils will continue to build on their success when they start their courses in September."

Thirty-four students from Gryphon School achieved straight 7s, 8s and 9s. Head of year 11, Steve Fox, said: "After such a traumatic and shocking end to their GCSE studies these results reflect the hard work and effort that the students put in and it has been wonderful to see their delight that they have been rewarded with such superb grades."

Despite celebrations over GCSE results, students who completed BTec courses have been left waiting for their grades after the exam board, Pearson, recalled all results to align them with the remarked GCSE and A Level grades.

The move affects 450,000 students, 250,000 of whom already received their grades last week. Pearson has apologised to students.

Mr Fox added: "Many students are staying on to attend The Gryphon Sixth Form and we would like to reassure those students waiting for BTec results that their places are secure."