IT'S not often that pupils turn up a full hour-and-a-half early at school.

But then again, not every day is results day. There was mounting tension yester-day as more than 100 teenagers awaited their GCSEs at Cantell School in Bassett, Southampton.

They gathered in small, anxious groups before being ushered through the doors of the technical block to pick up their all-important bits of paper. Some left to learn their grades in private while others couldn't wait to tear open the envelopes and share the news, good or bad.

In a few short minutes the long summer of anticipation disappeared in a sea of hugs and kisses.

Rachel Newnam, 16, who scored two As, five As and two Bs, was almost in tears. She said: "It was an awful moment opening up the results. I was so nervous and jittery. Now I feel relieved and really pleased. I'm still shaking but in a much better way."

Fellow pupil Hayley Nutt was equal-ly nervous but cheered by her six As and four As. "It's such a relief, but we have some brilliant teachers here," she said.

Cantell had 209 GCSE candidates this year, with more than 40 per cent gaining five A to C grades.

There was particular praise for pupils attending the school's dyslexic support unit, the only one of its kind in Southampton. Unit manager Moira Anderson said: "I think every-one has done well. Looking at the results from the point of view of the dyslexic pupils, they have all got the subjects they wanted. They got an average of ten GCSEs each."

Headteacher David Burge said: "I feel really elated."It's wonderful to see so many happy faces. The youngsters are sharing the experience with each other, enjoying genuine embraces and a happy atmosphere. That's what we're after."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.