ALMOST half of students at Marshland High School achieved five A*-C GCSE grades including English and maths - a 15 per cent improvement on just three years ago.

Staff and governors of the West Walton school are celebrating the remarkable turnaround.

Elizabeth Dormor, the headteacher, said: “Marshland High School has made incredible progress with its GCSE results in recent years, focusing particularly on helping students to achieve five or more A*-C including English and Maths, as this is such an important measure for gaining a place at sixth form or college or getting a job.

“In 2008 just 29 per cent of students achieved this benchmark and this year 44 per cent have. We are delighted with this progress but will obviously continue to work hard to improve it still further.”

Derek Goddard, chairman of governors, said: “We are also thrilled that the proportion of A and A* grades has risen significantly this year as we believe it is important that students achieve their full potential, not just gain passes.”

Students who received special mention were Janine Godbehere (eight A*s and four As) and Luke Pattison (seven A*s and five As).

Susan Taylor, the head of maths, was particularly pleased with her department’s results. A total of 66 per cent of students attained a C grade or above and 13 per cent achieved an A or A*.

Furthermore, of the 147 entries for either additional maths or statistics, 81 per cent attained a C grade or above and 18 per cent attained an A or A*.

Mrs Dormor said: “My congratulations go to all the students for their GCSE results and my thanks go to their parents and all the staff here for their hard work and support in helping our students to achieve their grades.”