AS shrieks of joy filled the corridors, a wave of relief swept through Crestwood College for Business and Enterprise as envelopes were ripped open to reveal the results that had been the cause of so many nightmares.

Left physically shaking after discovering her results was 16-year-old Claire Young who couldn't quite believe how well she had done.

Claire, from Milton Road, Boyatt Wood, was one of the school's most successful pupils, achieving three A*'s, nine A's and one C. She said: "It is just amazing, I never thought I would get these results. I am so pleased and cannot wait to tell my family. I just can't stop shaking, it is such a shock and such a relief."

Krista Carter, who has been head teacher at the Eastleigh school for a year, said: "Crestwood prides itself on its English and maths results and yet again Crestwood are above the national expectations with a 86 per cent pass rate in English Literature, 60 per cent pass rate in English Language and 53 per cent in maths.

"Some of the results are a little disappointing but having only been head teacher for a year, improvement will not come along instantly, it takes time to build on success. Today's results have left me quietly encouraged."

Celebrations were in full swing at Thornden School in Chandler's Ford as the school smashed previous records, with 94 per cent of pupils achieving five A*-C grades.

Alan Newton, deputy head, said: "We're obviously delighted, they're our best-ever results. We've had consistently outstanding results for the past decade or so, and this is a pretty good achievement to have surpassed all our previous records."