HIGH School students in Alcester were celebrating on Thursday after receiving their long-awaited GCSE results.

At Alcester Grammar school, 63 per cent of all entries were graded A* to A with 31 per cent of those entries graded A*.

All but one student achieved five A*to Cs including English and Maths.

Clive Sentance, headteacher at Alcester Grammar, said: “We are delighted once again with our GCSE results. In English and Maths over three quarters made ‘accelerated progress’ over their time here, based on the government's performance indicators.

"Whilst there has been a lot of media speculation around volatility in the results, it's clear from our results and those elsewhere that schools who see GCSE exams as belonging at the end of year 11, and who teach and prepare pupils accordingly, have generally got the results they expected.

“Any national discussion about overall standards should take nothing away from the hard work of students who have put a good deal of effort into maximising their potential”

The seven top performing students, Eliza Griffiths, Joe Kelly, Joe Morrow, Asha Phakey, Beth Flaherty, Ollie Purser and Lexie Wootton all achieved ten or more A* grades.

Students at St Benedict's Catholic High School also had reason to celebrate as 65 per cent of achieved five or more A* to C grades including English and maths.

However the school was disappointed in its English Language results which were lower than expected.

Overall, 75 per cent of pupils gained five or more GCSEs.

Tim Sara, headteacher at St Benedict's Catholic High School, said: “I am genuinely very pleased a lot of people did exceptionally well, As and A*s.”

“Results reflect the comprehensive nature of our intake and the school's ability to meet the full range of abilities, from the very gifted pupils to those pupils with special educational needs.

“The school shares the success of these results with the pupils who worked hard to achieve their success and the magnificent support of the parents to their children and the school. Schools do not succeed in isolation and any credit should be shared equally. Many pupils did better than expected.

“Equally there are always some anomalies in some subjects, particularly in English Language, where results are lower than expected, particularly when compared with English Literature. This seems to be in keeping with a national trend this year.

“Such achievements reflect the expectations we have of our pupils, the high quality of teaching of our staff, the support and leadership of the governing body and, last but certainly not least, the endeavours of our pupils.”

Alcester Academy were delighted at the results they received, 76 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades at GCSE.

The school saw 75 per cent of students passed their Mathematics and 69 per cent achieved their English GCSE by gaining a grade C or above.

Paul Hyde, headteacher at Alcester Academy, said: “The vast majority of our students, as a result of their GCSE grades will have secured post 16 places at local colleges and sixth forms.

“This is an excellent reward for the hard work of the past five years at the academy and we’d like to wish all of our students the best of luck for the next phase of their education.”

“Looking towards the future, we have recruited some fantastic teachers, many of whom are joining us form outstanding schools.

“We believe that this will further strengthen the academy in all areas, giving youngsters an even better chance of success.”

The top performing students were Lucinda Grainger with three A*s, six As and two Bs, Laura Kenyon with three A*s, five As and four Bs, Michael Lear with four A*s, six As and one B, Jack Leeson with eight As, two Bs and one C and Georgie White with five A*s, six As and two Bs.

Across the county thousands of students sat their GCSEs this year.

Councillor Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for education and learning, said: “This is a really important time for pupils who will be nervous and excited as they open up their exam result envelopes.

“I congratulate all students on their achievements and wish them luck for the future, whether that will be in continued full-time education, employment or training.

“The long hours of hard work and dedication of all the teaching staff, plus the support of parents, that contributed to the students’ success should also be celebrated today.

“It will be some time before we know the full validated results for Warwickshire but we are optimistic that the vast majority of Warwickshire pupils will have reached their target grades.”

Councillor Julie Jackson, vice chair of Warwickshire County Council’s Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee said: “My best wishes go to all Warwickshire students today as they get results of GCSE and vocational examinations and make decisions about their futures.

“Under the government's legislation to raise participation and increase the nation's level of education and skills, all young people completing Year 11 will be expected to continue in education or training until they reach their 18th birthday. Schools will be able to advise pupils on their future education and career options.”