The bar for higher marks at GCSE was raised for this year’s teenagers after suspicions that the exams were getting too easy.

And just to add to the confusion, a new marking scheme was introduced - out went A*, A, B and C, and in came numbers. The highest possible mark is a 9, with lowest being 1.

And yet Swindon’s youngsters took it all in their stride, with some schools reporting their best ever results.

At Commonweal School, deputy headteacher Charles Drew warned of the punishing effect of the new exam-heavy GCSE system.

He said: “The amount of content students have to learn and the amount of exams they have to take is unprecedented.

“Some of these students have taken 25 to 30 separate exams over a five week period.

“It’s been a really gruelling and punishing regime that’s tested not just their intellectual ability but also their resilience and their ability to work under pressure. They’ve done themselves proud.”

Provisional results suggest 62 per cent of Commonweal students had achieved at least five grade 4s including English and maths.

Felix Bowyer, 16, from Old Town, was grinning after securing five grade 9s: “I’m really happy, really pleased with my results. I’m ecstatic. It’s hard with these exams, but I’m happy with the work I put in.”

Joe Kennedy is heading to Cirencester College next month. The 16-year-old from Old Town hopes to become an army doctor when he leaves university: “I’ve always wanted to go into the army.” Of his six grade 9s he was particularly proud of his score in geography: “I didn’t think I’d get higher than a 6 in it, but I ended up getting a 9.”

The Ridgeway School, at Wroughton, was celebrating after one student achieved top marks in almost all her subjects. Eve Clulow, 16, achieved seven grade 9s and two 8s.

James Povoas, principal at the Wroughton school, said he was delighted at his 158 students’ achievements: “These are significantly more challenging GCSEs. They’ve got A-level content in them. Staff have really pulled everything out to ensure students have done really well.”

More than two thirds of pupils had achieved grades 9-4 in English and maths, the equivalent of A* to C. A third achieved the equivalent of an A* or A in English.

Jake Shapland secured a grade 8 pass in physics, earning him a place on an apprenticeship scheme at the Dick Lovett Ferrari dealership in Swindon: “I love Ferrari. I’ve always been interested in bikes, cars and how things work.” He planned to go karting to celebrate.

Friends Jak Loasby and Harry Lowe, both 16, said they were shocked at their results. Wanborough teen Harry, who eventually wants to study economics at LSE, said of his three grade 9s: “I was not expecting anything like that. I thought the exams were so hard.” Jak, from Wroughton, hopes to become a GP some day: “I’ve always cared for people. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor.”

Drama student Ailsa Smith, 16, from Wanborough, was delighted with her grade 8 result in the subject. Mum Paula Farquhar said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed. It’s fantastic. She was very nervous this morning and almost threw up in the car.”

Nova Hreod Academy achieved its best GCSE results ever for an impressive fourth year in a row, with 53 per cent of pupils achieving grades of five or more in both English and maths.

Head boy Jack Rockett achieved seven grades of seven or higher.

He said: “I wasn’t in a good state coming down the hill into school today, I was quite nervous, but it’s all good, I’ve done quite well.

“I needed two sixes in science to get into New College to do psychology and I got two eights, which is a huge relief.”

Lauren Hargreaves achieved nine grade sevens and above, including three subjects at grade 9, and Katrina Saunby-Elliott, who achieved eight grade 7s and above, including three subjects at grade 9.

The academy’s new headteacher Nick Wells officially starts his first term in charge next September.

He said: “This is a brilliant time to join the school.

“Nova Hreod is a school on the up and I’ve seen a lot of smiling faces, a lot of joy, many proud parents and a lot of hugs and happy tears today.

“The staff and students have worked really hard to secure the best set of results in our history once again - we’ll make it five years in a row next time!”

Swindon Academy also celebrated its best GCSE results ever, with 49 per cent of pupils achieving grades of five or higher in both English and maths.

Executive principal Ruth Robinson claimed this was 17 per cent higher than last year’s figures, which were for achieving grades of A* to C.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled.

“We have had strong results across the board and grades for some subjects are above the national average.

“This is a testament to the hard work of the students, their supportive parents, and our teachers.

“The whole community has come together and achieved incredible results for the school’s students.”

She highlighted the work of five star pupils.

Shannon Demelo will continue into sixth form to study history, biology and chemistry after getting a grade nine, a grade eight, and six grade sevens in her GCSEs.

She said: “I was a bit nervous before getting my results but I’m thrilled with them.

“I wasn’t expecting a six in computer science and I got a nine in history.”

Matthew Ottley is staying on to study maths, further maths, physics and mechanics after gaining four grade eights and four grade nines.

He said: “I’ve done similarly to how I did in the mock exams, which I’m very pleased about.

“I’m quite impressed that I got nines in English literature and combined science.”

Charlie Scoble is also staying on to study maths, further maths, physics, and Spanish after attaining three nines, three eights and three sevens.

He said: “I’m so happy that I got the grades I needed, I did better than I thought I would.”

Fabricio Rodrigues-Maciel gained one nine, two eights and two sevens, and his friend Luis Caetano got four eights and one seven.

Fabricio will study maths, engineering, computer science and further maths at sixth-form, while Luis will study engineering, computer science, business and core maths.

Both were worried that they would fail their English exams but passed with flying colours.

Fabricio said: “I’m so excited, it’s a huge relief.

“I’m keen to stay at Swindon Academy and learn more.”

Luis said: “English has been my weakest subject since primary school so it’s great that I don’t have to re-sit it.

“I’m also really happy with my Portuguese A, it’s the subject I’ve enjoyed most.”

Kingsdown School’s head boy Joe Lenihan received high marks across the board, with six nines, three As and two A*s.

Joe said: “I was really nervous to be honest, so I was so happy when I saw my results, I couldn’t believe it.

“It was really hard work, but it’s all paid off.”

“Now I’m going to Cirencester College to study biology, chemistry, maths and Spanish.”

Headteacher Emma Leigh-Bennett said: “We’re very pleased, our results are improving and we’ve had some exceptional individual achievements.

“This year group has been characterised by a really strong work ethic and a determination to succeed.

“I’d like to thank the parents who’ve supported them and the teachers and teaching assistants here.

“It’s a team effort to ensure our pupils achieve the very best.”

Headteacher of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy George Croxford told the Advertiser: “We’re delighted with today’s results which have managed to keep up with last year, despite the massive changes to the grade boundaries which have gone up enormously.

“It’s an incredible performance so I’m very pleased for all students and staff.”

Laura Driver, head of year 11 at Royal Wotton Bassett Academy, added: “They’re such a guinea pig year. None of us knew what was going to happen. They just worked so hard with all the extra intervention sessions they’ve attended. The students really thoroughly deserved all their successes. I’m just so proud of them. Being able to share this with them today is a privilege, it’s what you come to school for.”

Abby O’Gorman, got nine 9s. She said: “It was such a surprise I was not expecting it. I’m so proud of myself. I’m a little bit in disbelief but in a good way. My mum was so happy she was crying.” I’m doing to do maths, further maths and physics as college. I’m hoping to go into physics and research, something cool

Dorcan Academy's head teacher Sherryl Bareham was also very pleased.

She said: "‘We are delighted to report that this year’s GCSE results have once again improved and are our best in 3 years. We have seen a rise in all of our key performance indicators – in some cases, quite significantly. We are particularly pleased with the results in our Core subjects,  with other notable excellent results in Music, Drama, Sports Studies and Media. We wish to congratulate all our students and staff on their hard work and commitment in achieving these results and parents and governors for their continuous support. The Dorcan Academy is on a journey to outstanding and we are pleased that today’s results demonstrate that we are making steady, marked improvements towards that goal."