Thousands of pupils in secondary schools were due to collect their results to see how they fared after months of studying and revision work.
Among the top performing schools was Northampton School for Boys, which saw a record 97 per cent of pupils achieve the benchmark five A-C grades.
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A total of 88 boys – 41 per cent of the year group – got at least five A grades while 42 students got at least eight A grades.
Head Michael Griffiths said: "Frankly, we are astounded that this year group – which has suffered three years of disruption due to building works and the re-organisation – has shown the determination to achieve these fantastic results.
"These are stunning performances which show that with the right attitude boys can achieve. There is no secret – the school has high expectations of the boys and engages them in the life of the school through many and varied in and out of school activities. We believe in keeping boys busy."
While education experts were predicting a record number of passes and high grades, it still did not stop students from the customary pre-result nerves.
Emily Shears, aged 16, a pupil at Northampton School for Girls, in Spinney Hill, had been told to expect grade As in many of her subjects but the prospect had made her even more nervous.
She said yesterday: "I will be surprised if I will be able to open the envelope myself; someone will have to force me to do it, I think.
"The hardest thing has been that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and that heightens the apprehension. Hopefully, we will all be celebrating afterwards, though."
The exam system has been heavily criticised by industry leaders and teaching unions but Education Minister Jim Knight called for a calmer and more open debate and said it was vital that pupils master the basics.
He said: "Of course, exam statistics are important and we should interrogate them carefully. But too often they are viewed as the only conclusive barometer of education policy.
"English and maths, in particular, are the bedrock of every child's education and lifelong learning and it is wholly correct that the greatest scrutiny is given to these subjects."
