schools in and around Haslemere reported “excellent” results – bucking the national trend of dipped GCSE passes following the introduction of tougher exams and a new grading system for English and maths,

*WOOLMER Hill: A total 84 per cent achieved new grade four or above (old C) in English, with nearly 70 per cent achieving grade five or above. In maths, 86 per cent achieved a grade four-plus and nearly 70 per cent a grade five-plus

A total of 77 per cent achieved a standard pass grade four-plus in both maths and English and 59 per cent achieved grade five-plus in the more challenging maths and English GCSEs.

In biology, chemistry, physics and art, 100 per cent gained A* to C grades, with 96 per cent in drama and 92 per cent in catering.

Star pupil Catherine Lockwood with three grade nines and seven A*/As, was one of only 2,000 pupils nationally, who achieved nines in all three new GSCEs.

Other high achievers:

Lena Ricci-Hodgson – two grade nines one A* and six As;

Mark Sharman – two grade nines, seven A*/As;

Gemma Drake – six A*s, one A, one grade eight and two grade sevens

Harry White – four A*s, three As, two grade eights and a grade seven

Darcy Adams – three A*s, two As, one grade eight and one grade seven.

Headteacher Clare Talbot said: “I am so pleased for our pupils who have worked hard and shown great resilience in tackling the demands of the new mathematics and English qualifications, and who have been rewarded with great results.

“The number of pupils achieving the new top grade nine was exceptional and is a testament to the hard work of pupils and staff. I am very proud of them all.”

RODBOROUGH: A total 76 per cent of year 11 pupils achieved a standard pass four or above in English and maths, with 54 per cent overall getting five or above.

Higher grade passes increased to 77.8 per cent in English and 79 per cent in maths. The overall pass rate grade four across the board was achieved 77.6 per cent.

Rachel Casey, Sae Koyama and Evelyn Miller gained top A* or grade nine in all their GCSEs and Rachel and Evelyn both gained a B grade in AS creative writing. Max Aboutorabi, Rosie Bickerdike, Freya Bowden, Charis Hedgecock, Xanthe Jarman, Moli Kaushal, Callum Methold, Thomas Middleton, Sadie Nicoll, Zara Palmer and Millie Puddephatt all gained at least eight A and A* grades or grades 7-9.

Headteacher Matthew Armstrong-Harris said: “We are particularly pleased with this year’s results as they reflect the hard work our year 11 have put in to their studies throughout their time at Rodborough.

“It has been a real privilege to work with them over the last two years and I wish them well for the future.

“This year there has been a greater degree of uncertainty over GCSE results due to the introduction of new courses in English and maths. We are pleased that our results in these subjects remain very strong.”

MIDHURST Rother College: A total 65 per cent achieved five or more A* to C grades, including a grade four or above in both English language and maths, a significant increase from 50 per cent in 2016.

The percentage of students achieving grades seven to nine in English and maths was considerably higher than the equivalent A*/A achieved last year.

In English language, 24 per cent were seven-plus and in maths, 19 per cent were seven-plus. Top students were:–

Harry Spirit five 5A*s, two grade nine, one grade eight; Freddie Hill five A*s, two grade nine; Abigail de Villiers A grade nine, two grade eights; Sophie Brownbill One nine, two eights; Hannah Dee and Luna Jacevicius – one nine and one eight each.

Principal Stuart Edwards said: “Everyone is absolutely thrilled with these results which are a significant improvement on those achieved last year.

“Students and staff have worked incredibly hard all year and these results are a fitting reward.

“We are always ambitious for our students to achieve their full potential and I am pleased so many students have achieved the brand new top grade nine.

“I would like to thank all the staff in the college for their dedication and commitment to support and challenge students in all year groups.”

ROYAL School: Despite the introduction of the harder maths and English exams, the 15.5 per cent passes at A* (nine and eight) was the highest for three years.

In modern languages and music 100 per cent gained A*-A. In drama all candidates achieved A*-B.

There was a 100 per cent A*-C in art, drama, French, German, music, photography, additional science, biology, chemistry and physics and a 100 per cent grade four to nine pass rate in English.

One pupil achieved A* to A grades (9 and 8) in all 10 of her subjects, plus A grade in free standing maths qualification – another achieved 10 A*-A (9 and 7) plus an A* in A-level French, and another achieved A*-A grades (9 and 8) in all 10 of her subjects.

Principal Anne Lynch said: “We are delighted with these results and very pleased for our students.

“They and their teachers have worked very hard and it is excellent to see them rise to the challenge of the new GCSE examinations and achieve some very strong scores.

“It is also excellent to see them perform admirably in so many subjects across the curriculum. Well done to one and all.”

KING Edward’s Witley: Virtually all year 11 pupils gained at least five A*-C grades, with almost 90 per cent subjects taken passed at A*-C.

Shannon White – Ten A*s and two As, including several IGCSEs, often regarded as more rigorous than the GCSE

Holly Standish – six 6A*s and four As

Bronnie Challinor – six A*s and four As;

Jacob Trevor – five A*s, three As, four Bs

Afrida Khan – five A*s, three As, two Bs.

Headmaster John Attwater said: “I am so delighted our GCSE results are continuing to reflect the hard work of our pupils and their teachers. In particular, this year’s cohort deserve every success

“As a group they worked and played hard and got a good balance between all-round learning and preparing for the exams. They can be very proud.”

ST EDMUND’S: Overall, the first GCSE pupils for the school achieved 95 per cent A*-C grades and 100 per cent gained five or more GCSEs at A*-C. 

A total 42 per cent of all grades awarded were A*/A and 73 per cent were A* to B, with 100 per cent passes for English, history, French, triple science, art, religious studies, design technology and classical civilisation. 

In English 82 per cent received the new grade equivalent A*/A with 100 per cent equivalent to A*-B.

Headmaster Adam Walliker told The Herald: “We are a non-selective school and our results are truly remarkable. 

“To achieve such wonderful results at a time when GCSE exams are going through a highly volatile period is an enormous accomplishment. 

“I am extremely proud of everyone involved in this year’s exams.”