Teenagers across Sussex woke up today to another record set of GCSE results.

The figures show that girls have outstripped boys again in the exams.

Across Britain, 56.6 per cent of those taking GCSEs scored A* to C grades, a rise of just under one per cent on last year. The number of top grades has increased for the 12th year in a row.

But the national trend has not been seen at Varndean School in Brighton where the boys have out-performed the girls for the first time in more than five years.

The overall percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs grades A* to C was 53 per cent. For boys at the Balfour Road School the figure was 55 per cent.

Head teacher Andy Schofield said: "The pass rate is about the same as last year but what has changed is the fact that the boys have outstripped the girls.

"Improving boys' results is something we have put a lot of effort into during the last five years, with special targetting of individuals and things like the Easter revision school, which made use of our new facilities, and it has paid off."

Mr Schofield added the school was celebrating a lot more A* and A grades in this year's results.

Students at East Brighton College of Media Arts had cause for celebration too.

Among those who did well were Clair Standing who was thrilled to get an A in technology and her pal Rachel Sharp.

At Ringmer Community College students were celebrating with 62 per cent of pupils gaining five passes at grade C or above.

Principal Steve Johnson said: "Ringmer pupils worked hard for these results.

"All the staff are delighted that so many young people have qualified for advanced courses at sixth form level. They have a bright future ahead."

Among Ringmer's top students were Mark Day, Rachel Franklin and Alice Myerson, who all gained either A* or A grades in all their subjects. Peter Neale broke school records with ten GCSEs at the top A* grade.

Brighton College is celebrating 58 per cent of GCSE passes at A* or A this summer - a record for the school.

In the girls versus boys debate, the college results give the boys an edge of more than five per cent over the girls at the highest grades.

Headmaster Anthony Seldon said: "The results our students have achieved this year are fantastic and a terrific credit to them."

Even though male students nationally achieved more A* grades, up by 0.1 per cent to 3.7 per cent, the number of girls hitting the top band rose by 0.4 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

Girls got more A* to C grades across the range of subjects. The figures have fuelled concerns about the influence of an anti-school "lad culture".

Pupils at Blatchington Mill School in Hove improved on the school's results of last year. A total of 260 of the 262 students taking GCSEs were successful in at least one subject and 94 per cent managed five or more passes. The number who achieved five passes at grades A* to C was 53 per cent.

Head teacher Neil Hunter praised the hard work of his pupils, staff and support of parents for the results. He said: "We're very pleased with the results of not only the high achievers but also those who aren't so able but who worked hard and for whom Ds and Es are a great success."

Overall the girls at Blatchington Mill achieved greater success than the boys, in line with national figures.

Pupil Jimmy Bliss came out on top of his year with six passes at grade A* and five at grade A.

Other individual successes included Liza Bowen, John Gunes, Emma Smith, Asmaa El-Kaddar, Stuart Kay, Hilary Burniston and Giulia Civello.

At single-sex Roedean School in Brighton 97 per cent of the girls gained eight or more GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Alexandra Thompson from Hove came out top of her year with ten A* grades and one A.

Head master Peter Tinniswood, said: "We are delighted."