Schools across the city and county celebrated GCSE success today.
In Leicester, all but one school achieved the Government's benchmark of 40 per cent of pupils with five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths.
The good news came despite a warning from exam regulator Ofqual that schools could face "variability" in their results this year compared to last, following a shift from modular to final exams which has made GCSEs more like the old O-levels.
Samworth Enterprise Academy, off Saffron Lane, was the only city school which did not hit the target.
Overall, Leicester's provisional results show that 54.4 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades including English and maths this year, compared to 54.8 per cent last year. However, two schools have still to collate their results and that is likely to go up.
This year's results are also difficult to compare to previous years' because vocational qualifications are no longer counted in the same way towards GCSE totals.
Among the many schools celebrating yesterday was Hamilton Community College, in Hamilton, which recorded its best ever results. Some 55 per cent of pupils achieved the benchmark, compared to 50 per cent in 2013.
A delighted head teacher John Morris said: "We're very happy.
"All of the teachers have delivered this year – they've really gone for it, nothing has been too much trouble for them."
Babington Community College, in Beaumont Leys, also recorded its best ever results, with 55 per cent hitting the threshold, compared to 37 per cent the previous year.
Head teacher Denise Newsome said: "Everyone here is delighted.
"These results are the reward for lots of hard work by the staff and the students.
"I'd also like to praise the parents for their support, because I think they sometimes get left out."
Fullhurst Community College, in Braunstone, leapt up from 37 per cent to 50 per cent.
Head teacher Tom Campbell said: "Four years ago this school was in special measures, so this is brilliant news.
"These results are down to the hard work and dedication of the staff and the pupils themselves."
Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for schools, said: "Our students and schools have raised the bar once more and should all be congratulated.
"Given the changes in GCSE assessments this year, this is a very positive picture."
The city's top performing school was Madani Boys, in Evington, with 71 per cent of pupils making the benchmark.
At Samworth Enterprise Academy, the city's poorest-performing school, just 24 per cent of pupils made the grade.
Head Pat Dubas said: "We're disappointed and quite shocked because it's not what we were expecting. Our results in English are down and we're now working through them.
"Like most other schools we'll be looking at borderline candidates to see if any appeals should be lodged.
"These are provisional results but we'll be reflecting hard on them."
In Leicestershire provisional results showed the number of students achieving the benchmark this year was 59.4 per cent, compared to 59.5 per cent the year before.
Despite dropping two percentage points, Beauchamp College, in Oadby, was once again the county's top performing school, with 78 per cent of students gaining five or more grades at C or above including English and maths, compared to 80 per cent in 2013.
College head Kath Kelly said: "Students have worked so hard for the past two years and now it's finally paid off.
"When they get their results – that's the real winner, that's what we all do it for."
John Ferneley College, in Melton, was also pleased with its results. Despite a drop from 71 per cent to 65 per cent making the benchmark this year, it remained among the top schools in Leicestershire.
Head Christine Stansfield said: "Given the context of national results, students have done very well and we're proud of all of them."
William Bradford Community College, in Earl Shilton, was the only county school to fall beneath the benchmark, with 36 per cent of students getting the required grades.
Councillor Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for children and families, said: "These results are broadly in line with last year's and I'd like to congratulate the students and teachers on their achievements."
