Thousands of pupils in the city arrived at their respective schools this morning (Thursday, August 20) to open those all-important letters.

There were smiles and hugs at Oxford Spires Academy on Glanville Road as classmates found out their grades.

Serra Seyhan got mostly 7s as well as a 9 and a 6, and is planning to stay at the school’s sixth form for A-levels.

“I’m glad about my results; hard work pays off,” she said.

“I feel like GCSE people made GCSEs much bigger and much more stressful than they really are.

“I think you just have to get through it. The only way to do it is to just get through it as there’s no easy way about it.

“I’m staying here at Oxford Spires to do biology, chemistry, maths, and French.

“Most people are staying on for A-levels here, including my friends, so that’s an advantage for me as I won’t be alone, at least!

“My plan is mainly to do something in STEM, hopefully medicine, but we’ll see as time goes by.”

Headteacher Louise Cowley said: “We’re so pleased to celebrate yet another year of improving results with our English and Maths going up, and across the board, especially in our languages where we had a new specification, and students have done incredibly well.

“So it’s been lovely celebrating with them, and celebrating with the teachers that made it all happen.”

Over at Magdalen College School, 58 per cent of all grades were grade 9, 83 per cent of grades were 9-8 and 93 per cent were 9-7.

Amongst those celebrating were Jimmie, Lucas, Ruishi, Aidan, Aaron, Finnbar, Jay, Christian, Jonathan and Arthur, who all achieved 10 grade 9s.

Master Helen Pike said: “Our Fifth Form pupils threw themselves into their GCSEs with the energy and commitment they bring to every part of school life, and their remarkable achievements in these examinations are matched by the many ways in which they have contributed to and enriched our community beyond the classroom.

“Congratulations to them, and to the teachers and parents who have guided and encouraged them along the way.”

Greyfriars Catholic School also welcomed pupils to collect their GCSEs with some achieving an almost clean sweep of grade 9s.

Headteacher Lyndsey Caldwell said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and of the determination and resilience represented in the results they receive.

“We have watched them overcome challenges and achieve things they can be genuinely proud of.

“Today, we celebrate how far they have come and look forward to where they go next. Go Greyfriars!”

Over at d’Overbroeck’s, the school celebrated its best-ever set of GCSE results with 41 per cent of grades awarded at 9 to 8 and 61 per cent at 9 to 7.

Elsa achieved amazing results, including three 9s in chemistry, English language and geography, as well as six 8s.

She said: “I am so proud of my results, all the teachers at d’Overbroeck’s are so supportive and friendly, they have made me really confident, and the small classes have helped me so much.

“I am so excited to start Sixth Form at d’Overbroeck’s.”

Ivo achieved two 9s in Latin and French as well as four 8s and will also join d’Overbroeck’s Sixth Form this September.

He said: “I have loved my time at the Senior School; All the staff are so friendly and supportive. I am looking forward to studying at A-Levels.”

Nick Haines, Head of Senior School, said: “This is our best-ever set of GCSE results, and I am incredibly proud of what our students have achieved.

“What makes these results particularly special is seeing the progress made by every student and knowing that all of our Year 11s are now moving confidently on to the next stage of their education.

“We wish them every success for the future and look forward to seeing all that they go on to achieve.”

Oxford High School GDST students are celebrating over 50 per cent of GCSE grades awarded 9, with 74 per cent of all results between 9 and 8.

Cassie, an U16 England touch rugby team player, combined her passion for the sport with subjects such as textiles.

It was in this in which she was recognised by the OCR examination board as being one of the top candidates in the country.

After gaining an impressive eight 9 and 8s overall she will go on to become a STEM scholar at OHS Sixth Form.

Marina Gardiner Legge, Head of Oxford High School GDST, said: “Today is an occasion to celebrate not only the grades our students have achieved, but the young women they have become in the process.

“They have made an extraordinary range of contributions to the school and will continue to grasp these opportunities in our Sixth Form.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped to guide them in our community, including our dedicated staff and supportive families.”

Over 96.2 per cent of students taking maths and English GCSEs at City of Oxford College and University Centre achieved a pass in this year’s exams.

Many of the college’s GCSE students are learners who have resat maths, English or both to continue in education or progress their careers.

Dorcus Kateu, aged 19, from Oxford, has been studying English Language at City of Oxford College and University Centre and is celebrating achieving a grade 5.

The 19-year-old said: “I feel great! It’s amazing. My results were one bar below my expectations, but within a great lane.

“Being given a chance to grow without judgement, and helpful staff members who answer questions without making you feel uncomfortable at any time.

“Many small little details make this a great community and environment for growth and development.”

Headteacher of The Oxford Academy, Nora Ward, said: “We are proud of our Year 11 pupils for the hard work and resilience they have demonstrated throughout their Key Stage 4 studies.

“As our students move forward, whether continuing into our Sixth Form or pursuing external training, we wish them every success and remain committed to supporting all pupils in reaching their full potential.”

At Wheatley Park School, 39 per cent of all GCSEs were awarded at Grade 7 or above.

Headteacher Tim Martin said: “We are incredibly proud of each and every member of the Class of 2026.

“Whether they are staying on at our Sixth Form or continuing to college or apprenticeships, we wish our Wheatley Parkers every success – may your blood continue to run purple!”

At Headington Rye, 37.5 per cent of all GCSEs taken were graded at 9, the highest possible level.

Nine girls achieved 9s in all their subjects, with 10 girls achieving 10 or more nines.

Sophie will study A-levels at Headington Sixth Form after achieving ten 9s, and she said: “I’m very pleased to have got all 9s for my GCSEs.

“A 9 in English was particularly a surprise, and I’m so happy to have got a 9 in further maths.”

Among the highest achievers was Victoria, who achieved 11 grades at 9 along with an A in the freestanding maths qualification and an A in AS economics.

Oxford Millwood School, high grades were achieved across a broad range of subjects, with 50 per cent or more of students studying maths, English, geography and art achieving grades 9 to 7.

Headteacher Katie Townsend said: “Our Year 11 students have worked incredibly hard, with maturity and dedication, and we are extremely proud of them.

“We wish them every success as they move on in their educational journey to 6th forms and colleges.

“I would also like to thank our excellent teaching team and the families of our students for their ongoing and much-valued support.”

At Cheney School, Zoe Heslop received a seven in maths, a six in biology, a five in chemistry, a six in physics and a six in classical civilisation.

“I got slightly lower than what I was expecting, but I spent two years out of school in year 7 and year 8,” she said.

“The school supported me along the way and at A-level, I’m doing maths, philosophy and economics. I want to do classics; I really enjoy Latin as a subject.”

Her classmates Johnny Magill and Omamide Olagundoye were both happy with their results too, with the pair now going on to study A-levels.

Headteacher Rob Pavey said: “What we’ve seen again is no surprise.

“That the students who have worked hard have done very well, and that is very closely correlated with school attendance.

“So the students who have come to school regularly and reliably have done extremely well. The ones who haven’t, haven’t.

“It’s an obvious thing to say, but the students who have been here and been in lessons have done very well indeed.”