The wait is over for A-level students as they collect their exam results today.

Our reporters are at schools across Medway as teens open those all-important brown envelopes and find out their grades.

It comes as the NSPCC revealed it has delivered more than 1,000 counselling sessions to school children ahead of their exam results in 2016/17.

Rochester Grammar School

Laura Morris was happy to pick up AAB in PE, psychology and biology.

She said: "I'm so happy I was really nervous before and now I can't believe it. I'm going to miss knowing everyone."

She is going on to university to study physiotherapy, she added: "Because I want to care for people."

Fellow pupil Yasmin Haughey achieved two A* grades and a B is is now looking for employment in the arts.

She said: "Uni wasn't for me and I wanted to get a job and some life experience. The courses wouldn't be as beneficial to me.

"I'm not sure what I want to do but I'm going to spend some time working it out."

She added: "I'm so happy with my results."

The Howard School, Rainham

Students and staff at The Howard are celebrating some of the best results in the school’s history.

There were 135 students who took A-levels and their equivalents this year - 11% were passed with an A* or A grade, 35% were passed with grades A*-B, and 68% were passed with grades A*-C.

In addition students achieved an average grade of Distinction* in vocational courses, the highest grade available.

These results show significant progress for the students of the school, improving on last year. Value added is strongly positive.

Head teacher Terry Millar said: “We are very proud of The Howard School students’ achievements. There are excellent results across the board, for which students have worked extremely hard.

"I would like to offer students warmest congratulations and on their behalf thank all their teachers for their contribution to making these results possible.”

Among the success stories was Jamie Keam, who achieved three A grades in chemistry, mathematics and physics. He is going to Loughborough University to study chemical engineering.

Mollie Mahoney was happy to find out she had achieved in A in finance and Bs in government and politics and business studies. She has got an apprenticeship with Deloitte.

Thomas Aveling, Rochester

Lauren Rayner achieved two Bs in English and history and a C in geography. She will be going to Oxford Brookes University to study geography and Spanish in September.

James Trevallion, 18, gained two A* grades in photography and performing arts and a A in travel and tourism. He's off to the University of Brighton in September for teaching training.

WATCH: Thomas Aveling pupils get their results

For those who didn't do as well as they hoped and were unable to secure their place at their chosen university, the clearing system helps students find late or alternative university places if they wish to.

Steve Holdcroft, head of admissions at the University of Kent, is reminding teens to keep calm and think of clearing as an opportunity, rather than second best and has offered his top tips on securing a place.

Rochester Math School

It was another successful year for students at Rochester Math school with 35 students gaining 3 or 4 a*/a grades.

Several will be heading off to the top universities in the countries such as Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick.

Headteacher Eliot Hodges said: “These results are superb and show what can be achieved by dedicated students and expert teachers working together, and they are all the more pleasing given the new tougher A level examinations.”

Among the top achievers was Silas Hope who will be studying human, social and political science at Cambridge.

He said: “I’m really happy, it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“I didn’t really think about it through most of the summer and then over the last few days I’ve been really scared.

“I’m interested in politics but I’m not really set on what job I want yet.”

Yana Koroleva and Ellie Davey will be both be heading north to university this September.

Yana is a former Kings School pupil who is going to Oxford to study Psychology.

She achieved A*A*AA in psychology, Russian, biology and maths.

Yana said: “I was scared all day yesterday and last night but I’m so relieved now. I’ll miss the atmosphere and the people here – they are the best part of it.

“I want to do experimental psychology or marketing once I finish.”

Ellie Davey will be just an hour away from Yana at Warwick to study computer science.

She achieved AAAB in maths, economics, physics and computing.

Speaking to the Messenger she said: “I was so happy to get in to Warwick. Once I found that out it didn’t really matter what was on the paper

“I’m not nervous anymore, I’m just excited to go there now.”

13.3% of all grades were A* which is 2% up from last year and 71 students achieved higher than a B.

Holcombe Grammar School

Pupils at Holcombe Grammar School, formerly Chatham Grammar School for Boys, were also thrilled with their results.

Nearly a fifth of A-level pupils (17%) achieved A*-A grades.

Top fliers included Mark Gill who achieved two A*s in maths and physics and an A in biology. He was captain of the football team, and head boy, and Mark is off to Imperial College London in September to study physics.

Jimmie Phillips, who joined Holcombe from The Victory Academy, was predicted C grades but gained an A* and two As. He will study mechanical engineering at the University of Bath.

Michael Freeman gained two A*s in maths and economics and an A in further maths. He has been given a place at his first choice - University College London.

Michael scored full marks in maths - 100% in five separate exams.

Juliet Diaz, principal, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the outstanding A-level results achieved by our students this year, which is testament to the continued hard work and dedication they have shown during their time in Sixth Form.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the talented and dedicated teachers at our school, and the continually supportive parents, who have contributed so much to this success.”

She added: “I wish all of our Year 13 students the best of luck as they move on to their next big adventure, including those going on to some of the country’s most highly acclaimed universities.”

For more results pick up a copy of next week's Monday and Thursday Messengers.