STAFF and students at the John Masefield High School in Ledbury were celebrating "strong results" for this year's GCSE examinations.

There has been a national shake-up of the grading system this year.

A school spokesman said: "This year the new GCSE grading system from grade 1 to 9 was used across nearly all subjects. We were delighted that no less than ten students achieved at least 4 grade 9s.

These included Lizzie Austen, Kim Baird, Ella Barber, Jack Bloomer, Grace Bolton, William Flaherty. Toby Raison, Isobel Schofield, Christopher Warmington

Thomas Williams

The school spokesman said: "Many other students worked very hard and achieved the strong grades they deserved."

A total of 63% of Year 11 students at John Masefield High School achieved at least 5 good grades including both English and Maths. Across the school, 70% of examination entries resulted in the equivalent of grade 4 (C) or higher.

"A quarter of exam entries resulted in the equivalent of grade 7 or higher and 14% were at grade 8 or 9 which is almost double the national level. There were particularly strong results in French, biology, chemistry and physics in each of which over 40% of entries resulted in grade 7 or higher. In history 13 students (almost 20% of entries) achieved the top grade 9 compared to 3% nationally."

At the Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard a total of 46% of students achieved 5 or more GCSE grades at 4-9, including English and mathematics; 69% of students achieved a pass grade in English and 59% did so in mathematics.

Success was also being celebrated at Newent Community School.

A spokesman said: We are delighted that 80% of students achieved grades 4+ (A*-C) in GCSE English and 73% achieved grades 4+ (A*-C) in Maths; 65% of students achieved 5+ A*-C grades with 61% of students achieving 5+ A*-C including English and mathematics. Over 12% of all grades achieved were either a grade 9-7 or A*-A.

"We are exceptionally proud of the students for performing well in these new more challenging GCSEs."