Rachel says she took so many subjects because she enjoyed them

Keen footballer Rachel Grandey, who lives near Middlesbrough, said she sat so many exams because she enjoys studying.

Among the other success stories of the day are those of children as young as six or seven who passed GCSEs.

And Princess Beatrice is also celebrating, after overcoming dyslexia to get nine good GCSEs.

Rachel Grandey, who studies at Acklam Grange School, near Middlesbrough, said: "I have done well but I enjoy studying and wanted to do all of these subjects.

"It's a testament to the school really as the ethos is to be yourself above all else and do the best that you can do.

"I don't really know what career I will follow but will do what I enjoy and see what follows after that."

For now, she is applying to go to sixth form college.

Children as young as six are among this year's GCSE success stories.

A class of eight pupils, aged just six and seven, from a study centre in Hertfordshire, passed exams in Information and Communication Technology.

Among them is six-year-old Armaan Genomal, who achieved a grade B and is thought to be the youngest to pass a GCSE this year.

Armaan, who could read at the age of two, says he wants to be an inventor.

A class of eight pupils aged six and seven passed ICT

He did not find the exam hard, he said. "It was quite easy, actually. I came out of the exam with a smile.

"I really liked the spreadsheets and things like that. I checked my answers 19 times in the second exam."

Armaan studied for the GCSEs at Ryde Teaching Services in Bushey, Hertfordshire, but also attends Newton Prep, a private school in Battersea which is linked to Mensa.

Another young winner this year was Samantha Osaretin Imafidon, who at seven, passed GCSEs in maths and statistics, with D and C grades respectively.

Her family is challenging the maths result because it expected her to do better.

She is believed to be the youngest child to pass two GCSEs in one sitting.

Princess Beatrice

Samantha attends a state primary school - Roger Ascham - in Waltham Forest, Essex.

Samantha is not over-awed by her success.

"Its only just numbers, numbers and more numbers. Sometimes you add them, other times you subtract them, and you might multiply or divide them and you get the right answer," she said.

"My big sisters sometimes talk about numbers, so I decided to listen very quietly to their chats. Then I started getting interested in their number games, and quizzes."

Princess Beatrice was among those celebrating exam success.

She got two A*s, two As and five Bs in her GCSEs.

The 17-year-old, who is dyslexic, achieved top grades in history and drama, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.

Some of the teachers think he's one of the brightest pupils they've ever taught. Tim Gartside, head teacher of Michal Kwasigroch

She was also awarded As in French and art and Bs in English literature, English language, maths and dual sciences.

The Palace spokeswoman said: "She's delighted. The Duke and Duchess are so proud of both their daughters but especially Beatrice on the day of these fantastic results.

"The family celebrated together this morning."

A boy who barely spoke English when he arrived in Britain from Poland three years ago achieved 13 A* grades in his GCSEs.

Michal Kwasigroch went to study at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in Manchester after researching the school on the internet and writing to the head master.

Headmaster Tim Gartside said: "It's amazing that he has done this after only speaking English for a few years.

"Some of the teachers think he's one of the brightest pupils they've ever taught.