Schools celebrate 'best ever' GCSE results

Students were queuing up at St Richards and Bexhill High yesterday eagerly awaiting the results and for most the news was good.

At St Richards a tremendous 82.5 per cent of pupils achieved five of more GCSEs at grades A*-C. The previous record was set last year with 74 per cent.

Never before has any state school in East Sussex topped 80 per cent and principal Tony Campbell thinks the amazing results could make St Richards the top school in the county.

It was also a record -breaking year at Bexhill High. Continuing a meteoric year-on-year improvement, 57.4 per cent of pupils attained five GCSE's at grades A*-C. The previous record was 51 per cent last year.

Both schools well surpassed the national average of 50 per cent of pupils getting five A*-Cs.

There was not one single failure at St Richards with 100 per cent of pupils getting grades A*-G. The average points score per pupil was 54.63.

The overall pass rate at Bexhill High was a terrific 98.8 per cent. Outstanding High School successes included Nila Oddud, who got six A*s and four As and Sophie Pullen, who got seven A*s and four As.

Delighted St Richards principal Tony Campbell said: "We knew they were going to be good but this has surpassed all our wildest dreams and shattered our targets. Claverham have got 80 per cent in the past but nobody has ever exceeded that.

"I can't praise the dedication and hand work of staff and pupils strongly enough."

Bexhill High acting head Di Hawksby said: "Another historical high for the school, which demonstrates the outstanding efforts made by all students and staff."