FOR the second year in a row students, staff and parents from Testbourne Community School are celebrating ‘fantastic’ GCSE results.

Under the previous scoring system, last year students from the school in Micheldever Road, Whitchurch, secured 72 per cent rates at A* - C including English and maths.

This year, under the new grading, 81 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 and above in both English and maths.

Retiring headteacher Ruth Beasley said: “I’m very proud of both students and staff at Testbourne.

“Yet again, the hard work and commitment of both staff and students has meant success for many.”

In a climate where the reformed GCSEs have been described as the hardest since O-levels, 24 per cent of students secured top grades in maths under the new system and 19 per cent in English.

The school also had a large number of individual success including Ellie McDevitt, Katy Hague and Megan Clarke who achieved the highest grades across all subjects.

THE Clere School welcomed another set of strong GCSE results this year. With the new grading system, 78 per cent of pupils achieved at least a grade 4 in mathematics and 72 per at least a grade 4 in English.

The combined figure is 66 per cent and represents an improvement on last year’s results.

The percentage of students achieving the top grade of 9 in English and maths is well above the national average and further demonstrates the school’s commitment to excellent attainment and results.

The performance of students entitled to pupil premium funding was well above the national average.

Headteacher Benjamin Bond said. “We are proud of all our students who work so very hard for their success.

"These students will have a great start now as they set off towards further and higher education and the world of work.

"Congratulations to every student, their parents and our strong staff team. We look forward to even greater successes next year.”

For full coverage of this year's GCSE results, see tomorrow's Advertiser!