Galleries and results: Ipswich & east Suffolk

EAST Suffolk's A Star students were today reaping the reward for their hard work and determination after achieving record breaking GCSE results.

On a day of celebration across the county, headteachers could barely contain their delight at unprecedented exam success.

The dazzling grades will have paved the way for pupils to open the door on a new chapter in their lives, with the vast majority pursuing A Levels and college courses.

- Among today's many success stories are the staggering results achieved at Northgate High School - the perfect leaving present for retiring headteacher Neil Watts.

More than 80 per cent of pupils gained five A* to C grades - 8pc higher than the school's previous record, while 69pc achieved the same results in the core subjects of English, maths and science - a rise of 13pc.

A thrilled Mr Watts said: “The records haven't just been broken, they have been shattered.”

- There were more subdued scenes at Copleston High School. Sian Ryan, the popular 16-year-old killed in a crash on the A14 earlier this month, would have collected her results from the school today.

However, her fellow students were still able to reflect on magnificent grades, with more than 71pc gaining five or more GCSEs - a jump of 7pc.

Headteacher Shaun Common said: “We are extremely pleased with our achievements and congratulations go to all students, families and staff.”

- At St Alban's Catholic High School, the five A* to C pass rate including core subjects increased by at least 8pc. Almost half of the grades were at either A*, A or B.

Headteacher Dennis McGarry said: “This obviously reflects a great deal of hard work by staff and students.”

- Finborough School saw 78% of pupils achieve at least five A*-C passes.

A school spokesman said: “We are pleased to announce that the majority of our students have exceeded expectations for their GCSE results.

“A significant number of pupils improved by two grades or more on their projected scores from underlying IQ indicators.

“The number of A*s has increased by 3% from last year. This is a fantastic achievement, well done.”

- Holywells High School acting headteacher Terry Duffell paid tribute to his students who surpassed their predicted grades.

The five A* to C core subjects pass rate reached 27pc and would have topped 30pc were it not for a number of near misses. The overall five A* to C pass rate hit 42pc.

Mr Duffell said: “There are a number of very encouraging features in these results which do significant justice to a substantial number of students, whose hard work and mature commitment have been rewarded.”

- At Westbourne Sports College, 58pc achieved five A* to C grades, 41pc in core subjects, their best ever results.

Headteacher Chris Edwards said: “These are an exceptional set of results and I am very proud of the students and staff of the college.”

- Chantry High School reported a five A* to C pass rate of 57pc, 26pc in core subjects.

Andrew Fell, headteacher, said: “This represents enormous hard work on behalf of our pupils, staff and parents.”

- Deben High School in Felixstowe saw pupils smash last year's efforts with the number of five A* to C grades including core subjects rocketing 20pc to 48pc.

Headteacher Rob Cawley said: “I am so proud with the achievements of students and their teachers.”

- Sue Hargadon headteacher at Farlingaye High in Woodbridge said the results had rounded off a great summer for the school.

In all, 74pc of students achieved five A* to C grades, 64pc including English, maths and science.

Mrs Hargadon said: “We are absolutely delighted with an outstanding set of results.”

- Ipswich High School for Girls recorded pass rates of 100pc. Headteacher Elaine Purves said: “I am delighted for the girls, their families and our staff on their success.”

- At Ipswich School, six pupils achieved A*s in every subject and 20 students achieved either A* or A in every subject.

Headmaster Ian Galbraith said: “This is: an outstanding achievement, particularly given their equally impressive contributions to sport, music and drama during a very busy academic year.”

- At Leiston High School about 57% of pupils scored five A* to C grades.

Headteacher, Ian Flintoff, said: “We are pleased. The key thing with this year group is for many, many years they weren't quite where they should be, but they have done tremendously well. I am very proud of what they have achieved.”

- Claydon High School saw 66% of pupils achieve at least five A*-C grades.

Headteacher Beth Soule said she was very pleased with the “excellent set of results” which included two students who each scored 10 A and A* grades.

She said: It's an excellent set of results and a further improvement on last year. They have done very well.

“It's all about finding a balance between making them sufficiently aware of the gravity of things and giving them the confidence that they can achieve.

“There are some who have come through really difficult times and have done really well.”

Seventeen of the school's 133 pupils gained five or more A and A* grades while more than 90% achieved at least one C grade pass.

- At Thurleston High School, 56% of students secured five A*-C grades.

Head Mike Everett said the pupils had achieved the schools best ever set of GCSE results and put it down to a real team effort.

Mr Everett, who has been in charge at the school for nine years, said: “We're absolutely delighted. These are the best results we have ever had as a school.

“It's a real team effort between pupils, parents and staff and it's been more effective this year than previous years and we need to build on that and get better and better.

“It just shows that as a school we can't do it on our own and we have to use all the resources that are available to us and the parents are a very important part of that.”

- Stowmarket High School saw 56% of pupils get at least five A*-C grades.

Head Keith Penn said a fall in the overall pass rate had been predicted, but it hid some “outstanding achievements" of a large number of individuals within the year group.

He said: “Higher achieving students have done particularly well and 24% of all passes were A* or A grade.

“A very large number of students at every level of ability have worked hard to achieve at or above their own personal targets and as a result they are now able to move on with confidence to the next step, be that in formal education at sixth form or further education college or in employment with training.

“A number of students are worthy of particular mention. Iona Richards and Esme Pears both gained nine A* grades and Asa Burnett gained eight A* grades.

“A further seven students - William Furness, Louise Christopher, Gaby Thompson, Saffron Barnard, David Edwards, Helen Firth and Jacqueline Zarkos achieved A* or A grades in all of their subjects.

“Our warmest congratulations and best wishes for the future go to all of our students, their parents, their teachers and support staff who today celebrate the results of their hard work.”

- 77% of students at Diss High School achieved at least five A*-C grades.

Headteacher Dr Jan Hunt said that this year's grades were the best in its history and attributed this to hard work and a more engaging range of subjects to choose from.

She said: “We're absolutely thrilled. They are the best in the history of the school and a 14% rise on last year.

“The year group had a tremendous work ethic and we have been working hard on our curriculum as well so children have a wider choice of what they are interested in.

“Eight children got all A* and A grades and Joshua Smith, 16, got nine A* grades. Our A Level results were good as well so we're describing his as our 'Champagne year'.”

- At Debenham High School 89% of pupils scored at least five passes at A*-C.

Head Michael Crawshaw expressed his delight with the “fantastic” set of results.

He said: “We were thrilled that almost 39% of all grades were at A* or A - a fantastic result and a record for the school. Congratulations go to all students and staff on these superb results.”

Julia Payne, of Winston, near Debenham, gained 11 A* grades including Latin, which she took in an extra curricular club.

-Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham saw an impressive 87% of pupils achieve at least five passes at grades A* to C.

Headteacher Colin Hirst said: “I am absolutely delighted with Year 11 examinations achievements which are the best ever and are the result of sustained hard work by staff and pupils.

“I am particularly pleased with the achievement 5 grades in A* to C including maths and English which this year is 78%. This is a big improvement on previous years.

“We had 4 pupils who achieved 15 A* to C grades. I am extremely grateful to our staff for providing an education to our pupils of a very high standard.”

- 72% of Bungay High School students grabbed at least five A*-C passes.

Headteacher Sean O'Neill said: “The figure of 72pc is a school record, which is absolutely amazing. We are delighted with that. The youngsters deserve full press for the way they have worked with the staff to achieve such a great result.”

- St Joseph's College, Ipswich saw 85% of students score at least five A*-C passes.

Sian Grant, principal, said: “The students of St Joseph's College have reaped the rewards for all of their dedication and application over the last two years.

“The results are excellent and we are delighted that the pass rate is so high in the core subject areas. Most importantly, the students have made significant progress in their time with us and we celebrate each success with equal value.”

- Benjamin Britten High School, Lowestoft achieved a 75% mark for students passing at least five GCSE exams at grades A*-C.

Headteacher Trevor Osborne said: “I am delighted for all the pupils and their parents. This year's results are a fantastic 19% improvement on last year showing an incredible performance by staff and pupils.

“In total, 99.5% of our students attain qualifications, testament to their hard work and enthusiasm and the investment made by our primary and middle schools in contributing to the education of these children throughout their time in school.

“We wish them well for the future.”

- 77% of Hartismere High School pupils scored 5 or more A*-C passes.

Headteacher James McAtear said: “We're really pleased for all the children, families and teachers on an excellent set of results.”

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