STUDENTS across Dorset and Hampshire are celebrating GCSE success with some stunning individual performances and improved grades at many schools.

Nationally girls continue to outperform boys although grades fell across the board.

Just over two-thirds of entries in England, Wales and Northern ireland were awarded A*-C, more than two per cent behind last year’s percentage.

TWYNHAM SCHOOL in Christchurch saw 71 per cent of its students gain at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths. Twenty students gained at least eight A* or A grades.

At HIGHCLIFFE SCHOOL, head teacher Patrick Earnshaw said: “The average grade over eight GCSEs has increased by nearly a whole grade compared to 2015, and the amount of progress made across eight GCSEs also increased on 2015.”

BISHOP OF WINCHESTER ACADEMY head Paul McKeown said: “It’s the best results we have ever achieved.Seventy-two per cent got a C or higher in both English and maths, 85 per cent got a C or higher in English and 21 per cent got an A* or A in maths.

At CARTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL in Poole 46 per cent gained five or more A* to C grades including English and maths. Sam Davidson, Principal,said: “We have been relentless over the past few years in setting high standards for our students.”

At THE ARNEWOOD SCHOOL in New Milton, 62 per cent of its students achieved at least five A* - C including English and Mathematics.

At TALBOT HEATH, 99 per cent of students got above C in all subjects and more than half of students got A*s and As in all subjects. Head teacher Angharad Holloway said some students got full marks in exams.

At CORFE HILLS 103 students have received A or A* grades. Acting Head Phil Keen said: “These results are testament to the hard work and resilience of the students and the commitment of the teaching staff at Corfe Hills.

Head of ST PETER’S in Bournemouth, David Todd, said: “The proportion achieving five or more subjects at C or above, including English and mathematics is 66 per cent.

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S SCHOOL in Wimborne saw 85 per cent of all students gain an A*-C in English, 73 per cent get at least one Science GCSE and 67 per cent gain an A*-C in Maths. Those achieving at least 5 A*- C including English and Maths was 59 per cent.

Head of ST EDWARD’S in Poole, Pola Bevan, said: “It is important to recognise achievement and progress for all students of all abilities. St Edward’s therefore celebrates a 98 per cent 5+ A*-G pass rate and 60 per cent 5+ A*-C including English and Maths.

MAGNA ACADEMY in Poole saw 62 per cent of students achieved five A* - C grades including English and Maths, record results for Magna since opening in 2013.

BOURNEMOUTH SCHOOL saw 93 per cent get five A*- C grades including English and maths. More than 60 per cent of all entries were awarded a grade A* or A, 70 per cent of the year group attained at least 5 A*/A grades, with 59 students attaining at least 10 A*/A grades.

Head of BOURNEMOUTH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, Alistair Brien, said: “This has been a stunningly successful year. We had a 100 per cent five A*-C including English and maths. 66.28 per cent of all exams were passed at A or A* and 60 girls gained 10 or more A/A* grades at GCSE.”

Head of PARKSTONE GRAMMAR, Tracy Harris, said: “99 per cent achieved five A* – C including English and Maths. An exceptional 62 per cent of all grades were at A*- A, and 87 per cent of grades were A*- B.”

POOLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL head teacher Andy Baker said: “It has been a really excellent set of results. 57.1 per cent of grades were either A or A*. The numbers of students gaining five GCSE’s from A*to C was 97.6 per cent. Mr Baker said: “We had 50 boys who got 10 or more As and A*s.

Pupils at THE BOURNE ACADEMY achieved higher grades than expected under the new progress measures and 55 per cent gained at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths. Principal Mark Avoth said: “These results are fabulous.”

At BOURNEMOUTH COLLEGIATE SCHOOL just under 90 per cent of pupils gained an A*-C grade in their subjects with over a quarter of grades at A*-A.

AVONBOURNE and HAREWOOD COLLEGES were both above the national threshold in the new government progress rating. 65 per cent got C or above in English and maths at Avonbourne with 43 per cent at Harewood.

Just a year after being taken over by Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT), ST ALDHELM’S ACADEMY has recorded a 13 per cent rise in the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs (grade A*-C). Among the many success stories are Eleanor Cleave, who attained 11 GCSEs grade A*-B.

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