Teachers at Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech say they are celebrating their best ever GCSE results in the school’s history.

The GCSE successes add to what the college said were the best ever A Level results where many students secured good university places.

The highest performing GCSE student achieved grade 9s in English Language, Literature and maths, 4A* and 2 A grades.

Principal Anne Hill said. ‘This is a very pleasing set of results which reflects the hard work of the students and staff,” she added.

“It is very exciting to see our students so thrilled and pleased with what they have achieved.

“Many of our students have plans to continue their studies in our sixth form and so we all look forward to welcoming them back in September for the next stage of their learning journey.

‘I would particularly like to commend the hard work of staff, who have encouraged, supported and mentored the cohort through these important exams.

“Thomas Clarkson Academy is developing and improving year on year and so this cohort has set the benchmark for next year’s students to aim for or exceed.

“The Academy is particularly pleased that there has been a significant improvement in the percentage of students with strong passes in both English and maths and a record number of students achieving five or more A*/A grades in academic GCSE subjects.”

More than 200 students sat exams in a total of 32 subjects and the percentage gaining five or more A* to C grades improved by 10 percent compared to last year.

Using the new definition of ‘strong pass’ the percentage of students gaining five or more strong pass grades has improved by up to 17 percent including English and maths.

There were particular strengths and significant improvements in subjects including computer science, French, German, history, maths, PE and science.

There were also a record number of students gaining five or more A*/A grades (including grade 7 and above in English and maths) at GCSE, with very strong individual performances.

It is anticipated that a significant proportion of students will continue their studies into sixth form.

• The new scoring system has been introduced for English literature, English language and mathematics GCSEs. It grades student’s results on a 1-9 scale, with 9 being the best grade. This system aims to allow for more differentiation between student’s results with 4 being a standard pass and 5 a stronger pass.

• The grading system has only been rolled out with English and maths for the 2017 results. In 2018, another 20 subjects will be graded at levels 1-9 with the aim that by 2019 a majority of subjects will be under this new system.