OVERALL results were slightly down on the Waterside but that didn't stop delighted students celebrating some excellent personal achievements.

Hordes of students soon filled the streets clutching their result papers, swapping their GCSE scores with friends.

There were mostly hugs of celebration to be seen although a few faces showed the disappointment of failing to reach expected standards.

Pupils and staff at Hounsdown School in Totton were celebrating yet another year of excellent achievement.

The college, which doesn't have a sixth form to offer A levels, helped 70 per cent of its students achieve the gold standard mark of five or more A* to C passes.

And 97 per cent gained at least five A* to G passes.

Head teacher Di Nightingale said: "These are exceptionally fine results and reflect the hard work and commitment of our pupils and staff.

"There were some superb individual achievements and the quality of these results will provide pupils with excellent opportunities for their future education and careers."

Among the successes was Alexandr Sumisevski, a Maldovan who arrived in September 2004 speaking little English.

Remarkably he came away with 2 As, 3 Bs and 3 Cs.

"It is outstanding," said assistant head Roland Marsh. "He got a C in English literature and language. For someone who spoke very little English when he arrived he did brilliantly."

Results at Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu were on par with last year, with 62 per cent of students getting the five or more A* to C grades.

Hardley School in Holbury refused to give the Daily Echo its results, saying it was still compiling the figures.

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