Despite this, Principal Mike Conn said he expected the results to be, "at least as good as last years".

Speaking shortly after students collected their results, he said: "Unfortunately we have not been able to download any data due to a big bug in the system, but the indications are that the results will be at least as good as last years, and probably better."

Mr Conn has high expectations of the final statistics thanks to the student's hard work. He said: "We have some excellent individuals at Bexhill High."

Anxious students patiently queued in the school dining hall to collect their results, and many were initially too nervous to open the envelopes.

One pair of friends who were dreading opening their envelopes were Tom Cyrson and Mohammad Shoab Estanakzai. However neither needed to have worried as, on finally doing the deed and tearing open the envelopes, happy smiles, and sighs of relief clearly showed that their fears had been unfounded; Mohammad had received three 'A's, in Maths, Statistics and Persian, one 'B' and two 'C's and Tom had two 'A's for Media Design and IT, and four 'C's.

Tom will be going on to Bexhill college in the Autumn to continue with his Media and IT studies.

He said: "I've done well; I'm really pleased."

Two other friends who were also happy with their results were 16 year old student's, Claire Kohler and Amy McCartney.

Clearly overcome Claire said she was "overwhelmed"' to have received spectacular results which consisted of five 'A's and one 'B' grade.

While Amy said she was, "really pleased" with her 'A' in Food Tec, four 'B's and three 'C's, and said she is looking forward to continuing her studies at Bexhill College where she will be studying Law and Psychology.