THE best ever GCSE results were being celebrated by students, staff and parents at The Petersfield School today.
There was a buzz of excitement and smiles of relief and joy all round as pupils picked up their grades.
New headteacher Mark Marande was delighted with the school’s success with 71 per cent of students achieving five or more GCSEs at A* to C grade, including English and maths.
This is a 16 per cent increase over last year’s results.
Eighteen pupils achieved ten or more A*/A, with 10 per cent of the students gaining five or more A*/A grades. More than a third of the students achieved the English Baccalaureate, and 100 per cent of pupils gained a qualification.
The top performing boy was Sam Broadhead from Sheet, who earned seven A*s and three A grades.
Of the girls, the highest achiever was Laura Martin from Waterlooville, who achieved ten A*s and one A.
Mr Marande said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results and very proud of all of the incredible hard work shown by our students, governors and staff over the five years.
“We believe that all our students have an exceptional school experience and these results will help to ensure that many more doors are open to them in their future.”
Head girl Isabella Fernandez, of Petersfield, who is off to the prestigious Rambert School of Ballet, was "absolutely shocked" to find out she had been awarded nine GCSEs at A* and A grade level to add to two she took last year. She had combined ballet training, auditions and studies which had been very pressurised.
Gilly Gison, of Petersfield, was well on the way to her dream of becoming a doctor, with her eight A*s and 3 As. She is off to Havant College to study biology, chemistry, physics and maths.
“I am really happy,” she said. “It was a lot of work but it has paid off.”
Isobel Jones, of East Meon, was “surprised, happy and relieved” with her nine GCSEs, with top grades in art and English.