IN a year when national GCSE results are said to be at their lowest level since 2008, Frensham Heights students had even more reason to celebrate last Thursday, with 40 per cent of all exams achieving A* to A.

As with the previous week’s A-level results, the good news was spread across academic and creative subjects.

As headmaster Andrew Fisher, said: “Our year 11 students’ success is well deserved and again reflects just how well they can achieve in all areas of the curriculum.

“I am delighted for them and so proud of both the students and Frensham’s dedicated members of staff.”

All three sciences proved very strong this year with 81 per cent of students achieving A* in physics and 95 per cent achieving A* to A, while three-quarters of students achieved A* to A in biology.

On the creative side, fine art produced equally strong results, with 95 per cent of students achieving A* to A, closely followed by graphic communication at 90 per cent.

Among those celebrating were Esalan Gates and Franny Sullivan, both of whom had been awake since the early hours anxiously counting the minutes to 6am when they could see their results online.

Both achieved nine A*s and one A, with Franny also gaining a B in her 11th subject. She said: “I was really nervous so I simply couldn’t sleep, it hasn’t yet quite sunk in.

“I was by myself then I looked up and my mum saw the look on my face and rushed in. It hasn’t felt like the exams were truly over until today. Now we can look ahead and focus on the next stage.”

Both girls are staying at Frensham Heights for sixth form and true to Frensham form, both are studying a range of subjects.

Franny will be taking chemistry, biology, geography and photography while Esalan will study maths, English, drama and fine art.