THOUSANDS of teenagers across Essex experienced mixed emotions today as they received their GCSE results and began to plan their futures.
Despite undergoing tougher exams and being the first year most GCSE grades were marked using the new numerical grading system from 9 to 1, Colchester was bursting with success stories.
St Helena School experienced strong performances across a range of subjects, including stand-out results in geography, biology, religious studies (RE) and food technology.
Deputy headteacher Justin Kellett said: “These results are a testament to our students’ hard work, the support of their parents and the guidance of our staff.”
Some of those students included Nymara Blevins-Hay, who achieved 11 GCSEs with eight at grade 7+, Joel Barnett, who managed ten at grade 7+, and Nella McCann who got eight at grade 7+.
But it is not just academia St Helena is shouting about but its vocational success as every student on its IT Professional programme left with a grade 5 equivalent or higher.
William Lodge poses with Colchester High principal David Young
Early figures from the county council indicate Essex students overall have trumped national figures for 2017, with 65 per cent achieving a GCSE grade 4 - or C - for English and maths.
A further 42 per cent peaked at grade 5 or above in the core subjects.
This is the second year subjects were graded under the new 9 to 1 scale and the remaining subjects are set to change next year.
Essex education Ray Gooding, said: “Once again, my congratulations to all who sat their GCSEs exams this year.
“The hard work that goes into studying cannot be underestimated and shows huge commitment and dedication.
“Also thanks to all those in a supportive role - teachers, parents and family members for their part in helping our pupils achieve such great results.”
Colchester Royal Grammar School boasted the best A* results (grades 8 and 9) in its history.
Colchester Royal Grammar School. Picture: Paul Taylor/ Crown Photography
Headmaster John Russell said: “Sixty per cent of the reformed GCSE grades were 8 or 9, and 22 students achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade 9.
“The staff and students have worked tremendously hard and deserve the remarkable results they’ve achieved.”
Nearly all of St Mary’s School pupils (98 per cent) achieved five or more GCSE passes at grade 4 or above.
Poppy Summers and Sasha Hills
The girls went one step further by securing a 100 per cent pass rate in 12 subjects - including classics, music, statistics and textiles.
Thirteen of their candidates achieved grade 9s in one or more subjects, such as Keziah Kenneison and Elizabeth Burrell (pictured below).
Keziah said: “St Mary’s teachers always answered probing questions in lessons, even if these were sometimes a little off topic, they really did go above and beyond.”
Both girls are heading for sixth forms and have their pick of the bunch.
Interim executive headteacher at the Colne Community School and College, Neil Gallagher, said the school is proud of all its students, especially top performers Mimi Thomas, Jessica Scott, Kyle Morris, Lucy Scott, Agnes Richards, Oskar Grewe, Louisa Moor and Alex Long.
He added: “We've seen fantastic achievements across the board this summer, despite this being a turbulent year in school.
"These achievements have been down to the incredible efforts made by the students and their teachers, many of whom have had to deal with vast changes to GCSE courses.
"My congratulations go out to all of our students and their families, and I wish them every success for the future.”
Emotions were running high at the Stanway School
And at Colchester High School, Joe Cole scooped the equivalent of ten A*/A passes, William Lodge has nine, and George Pennyfather picked up eight.
Some 87 per cent of pupils managed grade 4 to 9 in all subjects, compared to 67 per cent nationally, said headteacher David Young.
He added: “More pleasing still is 68 per cent of students achieved a strong pass at grade 5 or higher.
“My congratulations go to all of our GCSE students and I wish them every success as they take their next steps.”
These seven Gilberd School students outshone their peers to become some of the best- performing in the country.
Amber Sidki, Holly Swan, Holly Felgate, Olivia Young, Harry Donegan, Amhed Moussa
Olivia Young has nine grade 9s plus an A in additional mathematics and one A*.
She said: “I'm so delighted to achieve my results through a lot of hard work and dedication on my part, but also from my amazing teachers and all of the support I've received.
"I'm excited to be starting the next stage of my academic journey at Colchester Royal Grammar School in September."
Between Olivia, Ahmed Moussa, Amber Sidki, Harry Donegan, Holly Felgate, Holly Swan and Louis Taylor they have 40 grade 9s, 21 grade 8s and four A*.
Ahmed's grades were so high he can choose whichever fourth A-level he wants to at Colchester Sixth Form College, where will study maths, further maths and physics.
Headteacher Linda Exley is delighted.
Colchester Royal Grammar School. Picture: Paul Taylor/ Crown Photography
She said: “The hard work of the students and dedication of staff has paid off again, and students can look forward with confidence to the next stage.”
She added: "The vast majority of students at the school achieved a good pass in both English and mathematics.
"As always, the raw figures hide many stories of students who have struggled with adversity and yet still achieved, or who may not have gained headline grabbing results but have outperformed perhaps even their own expectations.
"We're equally proud of each and every one of these."
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