TEACHERS received the ultimate praise at Philip Morant School and College in Colchester from overjoyed pupils.

Thomas Feerick attributed his standout grade 9 in Spanish to smaller class sizes.

He said: “The class sizes were of about 12 to 15 students, which I think is really important for languages because part of the assessment is speaking so you need to be able to do that with a member of staff.

“The school has had so much bashing in the media lately but I’ve had a really great time here, and people have got really good grades.”

His enthusiasm was shared with Abigail Parker, who got an 8 grade in Spanish.

“Spanish wasn’t something I was great at but the school has given me lots of support, especially with speaking as I’m not a particularly confident person,” she said.

Halstead Gazette:

Kate Woraker and Thomas Feerick

For modern foreign languages, students gained GCSEs in French and Spanish, with additional individuals gaining good grades in Italian, German, Russian, Turkish and Mandarin.

Over a quarter of the grades awarded were the new A/A* grades - 7, 8 and 9.

Twins Louis and Megan Genin picked up their results together but are heading in opposite directions.

Louis has won an esteemed place at King's College London to study maths while sister Megan will utilise her dad's artistic genes by pursuing art, which she got a grade 9 in.

Between them, they have 13 of the highest marks.

He said: "I think I will benefit from being at a school where everyone else has the same interest and is in the same boat."

Halstead Gazette:

Soon-to-be a King's College student Louis Genin

AT the eleventh hour, as in Year 11, Wasee Ahmed moved from St Helena School to Philip Morant - but still managed to get stellar grades, picking up a 9 in English language, grade 8 in history, and big marks in science.

He said: “I’m quite ecstatic. I didn’t know about German but I didn’t revise as much for it as the others.”

Now he will study law, psychology and sociology.

He added: “I’m quite interested in law mainly because of watching Suits.”

Last year, Colchester County High School for Girls celebrated the best results in the history of the school and this year history has repeated itself.

All its students gained the equivalent of five grades 9 to 5, 90 per cent of grades were at an A/ A* equivalent, and 98 per cent at an A*/B equivalent.

A lucky group of 12 even achieved nine grade 9s.

Executive principal Gillian Marshall said “Our Year 11 students have once again broken school records.

"Following on from the truly impressive results achieved last year, and despite the challenges the reformed GCSE curriculum poses nationally, our students have achieved outstanding results which make us truly proud."

Halstead Gazette:

Female leaders of the future from Colchester County High School for Girls

The Thomas Lord Audley School also rose to the challenge.

Standards in English and maths have been maintained and subjects like computer science and history have improved further.

Leonard Dobbin and deputy headgirl Sorelle Noutaha achieved the best set of grades this year, securing nine top grades each.

Headteacher Helena Boast said: "There are many students who are very pleased with their results.

"This was down to their hard work and commitment to achieving their best and also the total dedication of the staff who supported them.

"The excellent results students have gained means they will be accepted on the post-16 course of their choice or an apprenticeship, and most will not need to retake GCSE English or maths.

"We wish them every success in the future."

Market Field School headteacher Gary Smith reckons these results are their best over the past four years.

The specialist school caters to young people with moderate learning difficulties as well as autism.

Halstead Gazette:

Gary Smith from Market Field School in Elmstead Market

He said: "Nineteen kids passed GCSE art and about 24 per cent of kids got at least four GCSEs or the equivalent - I'm really proud of them.

"There were a lot of nerves and lots of the students didn't want to open their envelope.

"One had to go for a walk to the shops and wanted a certain member of staff to be there before they'd open it, and lots didn't want to at all.

"But the atmosphere was really good."

Many Thurstable students in Tiptree recorded exceptionally strong results, but one in particular stands out.

Georgina Smith gained the equivalent of ten A* or better passes, including five of the new A** GCSE grade 9s.

Headteacher Miles Bacon said: "The changes in GCSE assessment and in how the school performance tables are constructed mean that GCSE results day is now all about individual students and their achievements.

"Comparisons between schools has to wait until October, and 1-9 replacing G-A* means that this year, as last year, it's not possible for schools to compare their results with previous years.

"Students are at the forefront of our minds every year as they receive their GCSE results, but particularly so this year.

"This was a year group that faced more examinations, had more skills to master, and more content to learn than any group of 16-year-olds ever have.

"My congratulations go to them for rising to this challenge, and my heartfelt thanks go to their teachers and their parents for the support that they have given."

READ MORE: TEENS SHARE THEIR GCSE RESULTS SUCCESS