THEY are tougher, more “rigorous” exams but early indications are that some Southampton schools are looking at their best ever results today.

As head teachers get ready to deal with tears of joy and sorrow, at least three schools have told the Echo this year brings excellent grades.

Head teacher Matthew Longden at Toynbee School said his pupils have done “very well” despite the “untested and unchartered” new grading system.

As previously reported maths and English will now be marked 9-1 with the other subjects joining suit by 2020.

Mr Longden added: “We had students who were sitting a lot more exams this year.”

Jonty Archibald at Regents’ Park School congratulated his students on their results. He said: “We have some outstanding results to celebrate.We had some students who took AS levels early and there was a 100 per cent pass.

“We are really happy with our initial GCSE results, they look like the best ever English and possibly overall results, which will make our Progress 8 score even higher than last year.”

But he added that it’s difficult to compare directly with last year’s results because of the new gradings, but “many students” at Regents’ Park have received the top score of nine in either maths or English.

At St Anne’s School head teacher Lyn Bourne said she is “extremely pleased” with the school’s “outstanding” results. She said: “We are so thrilled for all our pupils and their families. Alongside our staff, they have worked extremely hard and deserve these great results. Our staff have worked hard to ensure these reforms to the GCSEs are being embedded quickly so that our pupils are taught well and are confident going into their exams.”

Proving themselves top of the class with the new grades, 15 pupils achieved the coveted grade 9 in English language, 16 pupils got it in English literature, and ten pupils were graded 9 in mathematics.

Meanwhile experts at City College have put together some advice for 16 year olds getting their results today.

They say although most school leavers have a good idea what results they are going to get, some may have a pleasant surprise and some will be disappointed.

The trick is not to panic and understand what is available to you for your next steps in education.

If you have already applied for the course or apprenticeship you will be doing next, you will probably already know the entry requirements. If you have met them or if they are a little bit lower than you were expecting it’s a fantastic achievement and time to celebrate.

If your grades mean you haven’t met the entry requirements, don’t worry. There are other options available.

You might be able to do your course at Level 2 rather than at Level 3, or take on an apprenticeship.

If you don’t pass English or maths GCSEs, you will have a chance to retake them at college or during your apprenticeship.

Principal Sarah Stannard said: “It is always a nervous time for students getting their GCSE results. We are here to help school leavers in their next steps.”