MILL Chase Community College celebrated its best set of GCSE results yet when this year's grades were released last Thursday. Overall, the school's results were up 11 per cent on last year and 20 per cent higher than those in 2004, prompting headteacher Steve Mulcahy to say the school has "a real momentum in terms of improvement". He added: "Our results place us among the fastest-improving schools in the county. We fully expect to build upon these impressive results over the next few years." Three hard-working students in particular are looking forward to the challenge of going to college, after getting good grades across the board. Tim Shaw from Lindford achieved two A*s, six As and one B in a sometimes gruelling exam schedule. He said: "My exams were spread out over a month, but I had seven in one week. It didn't seem so bad halfway through, and my advice to those doing GCSEs next year is not to worry about them too much." Now he plans to attend Sparsholt agricultural college in September to study A-level landscaping, saying the course combines academic and outdoor activity. Former head girl Hannah Sullivan from Bordon was very happy to learn she had achieved four As and five Bs but said her celebrations would be cut short as she had to work that night. She plans to study PE, biology, psychology and health and social care at Alton College on her way to becoming a nurse, but will still hear about life at Mill Chase from her younger brother, who is about to start year nine. Graeme Kirkwood from Headley opened his envelope to find he had been awarded five A*s, two As, one B and one C grade. He said the exams had been nervewracking but were definitely worth the chance to go on to Alton College to study maths, further maths, business studies, physics and chemistry. He said: "I was so worried about English because I had 45 minutes to write down as much as I could, whereas you have much more time in course work. But I'm looking forward to the freedom of college. "I haven't had to put this much work into anything else before. The amount of exams is staggering compared to before. "I hadn't thought about the workload at college before now, but I'm not worried about it. Some of my friends are also going to the college, so that will make the change easier." Mr Mulcahy added: "I would like to congratulate all students on their fine achievements; they have put so much effort into their studies. "I would also like to congratulate and thank my staff team who have worked so hard to support students. The school's motto is 'Putting Learning First' and the class of 2006 certainly did that."
