Students in Richmond were today collecting their GCSE results and schools are starting to reveal how their youngsters have performed.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 69.1 per cent of exams were awarded top grade passes, A* to C, and 22.6 per cent were at A* or A - increases of 2 per cent and 1 per cent respectively from 2009.

In England, 69 per cent of passes were given top grades, up from 66.9 per cent last year.

Borough results are still being collated but Christ’s School, in Richmond, said its preliminary results show 89 per cent of students achieved five or more top level passes, while 62 per cent got five or more including maths and English - the measure used by the Government to draw up school league tables.

Headteacher Richard Burke said the year group had surpassed targets set by Richmond Council and applauded students' hard work.

He added: “It has been a privilege to see these students grow and develop, I wish them every success for the future.”

Waldegrave School for Girls, in Twickenham, announced its best ever results with more than half of exams returning A* or A grades, 96 per cent of students achieving five top passes and 86 per cent gaining five A* to C grades including English and maths.

Philippa Nunn, headteacher, said: “We are enormously proud of all of our students who have achieved these brilliant results.

“I would like to thank all staff at Waldegrave for their hard work, dedication and amazing support they have given the students.”

At Orleans Park School, in Twickenham, 81 per cent of youngsters were awarded five top passes and 71 per cent were awarded top passes with English and maths - an increase of 1 per cent and 2 per cent respectively on 2009 levels.

Headteacher Jo Longhurst said: “We are absolutely delighted with these results, it has been a real team effort from pupils, staff and parents/carers.

“We are extremely proud of all our pupils and they thoroughly deserve their successes.”

She added the school had exceeded all targets set nationally and by the council.

At Grey Court School, in Ham, 84 per cent of students achieved five top grade passes, which deputy headteacher Gary Bashford said were the best results for 17 years, while 54 per cent got five top passes including English and maths.

He added everyone at the school was delighted and it was a tribute to the hard work of students and staff.

At Hampton Community College (HCC), 47 per cent of students were awarded five top passes including English and maths, an increase of 16 per cent on 2009 figures, while 63 per cent got at least five A* to C grades and 80 per cent of students got at least eight passes.

HCC will close next Tuesday and be replaced by Hampton Academy, which will open the following day.

Principal Sue Demont said it was good for HCC to go out on a high note.

She added: “The class of 2010 and their teachers and mentors should be enormously proud of themselves for achieving such good results during a year of considerable change and development for our school.”

Whitton School - which will also close next Tuesday to be replaced by Twickenham Academy - has also reported a rise in results from 2009 with 79 per cent of students achieving five top passes, up 19 per cent year-on-year, and 47 per cent getting five top passes with English and maths, up 5 per cent.

Acting headteacher Phil Davies congratulated staff and students - and was joined in his congratulations by Nick Jones, principal designate of Twickenham Academy - and said he was delighted the effort put in had been rewarded.

Lady Eleanor Holles School, in Hampton, reported its best ever GCSE results with 72 per cent of exams awarded an A* grade and 98 per cent at A and A*.

Headmistress Gillian Low said: “We take great pride in the marvellous achievements of our girls who combine hard work with a variety of extra-curricular activities in sport, music, drama and many other interests. “

At St James Independent School for Senior Boys - which is moving from Twickenham to Ashford this summer - every single exam was passed with 92 per cent at A* to C.

Headteacher David Boddy said: “St James is now consistently achieving results which are amongst the best in the country.

"We are particularly pleased with this because we do not select our pupils solely on their academic prowess.”

Every single student at St Catherine’s School, Twickenham, achieved at least five top grade passes with more than 20 per cent being awarded at least ten A or A* grades.

Sister Paula Thomas, the headteacher, said: “I am delighted with these exam results, which reflect the hard work of the girls and their teachers.”

At Notting Hill and Ealing High School, which takes a number of youngsters from North Richmond, 99.4 per cent of grades were A* to C. Tell us about your exam success by calling the newsroom on 020 8744 4264 or by emailing cwickham@london.newsquest.co.uk.