The pupils at High Wycombe’s John Hampden Grammar School have proven they can “compete with the best nationally” with almost 60 per cent of A*s and As achieved in this year’s GCSEs.

Around 40 per cent of pupils scored at least eight A*s and As at the Marlow Hill-based boys’ school.

High achiever Yusuf Hussain not only achieved eight A*s and three As, but also an incredible A* distinction, a “super grade” which is two grades higher than an A and one higher than A*, first introduced by exam board AQA in 2011, according to national reports.

He said: “I am very pleased with my results. I was expecting to do worse.

“I’m going out to dinner with my family to celebrate.”

Tom Bickley said he would be celebrating his eight A*s, two As and a B at the Reading Festival and wants to stay on at John Hampden’s Sixth Form to study Geography, Maths and Economics.

George Wright collected his results despite having tonsillitis and a high fever, and said he was looking forward to going back to bed.

George, who achieved 10 A*s and one A in his GCSEs, as well as a B in AS-level Italian, said: “I didn’t expect this at all.

“I thought I had under-performed – this is a big surprise.

“My family is ecstatic.”

Daniel Bater was thrilled with his nine A*s, 2 As and a B, and said thought he was going to fail English Literature, which he got an A* in.

He is also hoping to stay on at the Sixth Form to study English, History and Philosophy, and wants to forge a career in television.

However for now, he’ll be treating himself to a shopping spree to celebrate.

David Nally, who got seven A*s and five As, told the Bucks Free Press his business studies teacher would “probably kill” him for “only getting an A” rather than A* in the exam.

He said: “I’m going out for a meal to celebrate and might even get a couple of beers in.”

Assistant head teacher Andy Wright said: “The cohort of 2016 has secured some excellent results as we expected.

“Our students have proved once again that they can compete with the very best nationally and we are delighted for them; they deserve the qualifications that they have received.

“These great achievements would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of their parents and their teachers.”