SCHOOLS in Haslemere are celebrating another year of GCSE success, with many results bucking national trends.

Pupils at Woolmer Hill and Wispers achieved good results in mathematics and modern languages, despite a decline nationally in the pass rate of these subjects.

And while the overall national pass rate was down to 50 per cent, Woolmer Hill achieved its best result ever with 63 per cent of pupils gaining five or more A* to C passes - an 11 per cent increase on last year.

Two star pupils at the school, Matthew Gill and Sophie Taylor-Gooby, found themselves in the top five highest marks for English literature in the country.

Headteacher Sue Bullen commented: "These results represent a lot of hard work and determination on the part of students and staff alike.

"We are very pleased that once again our boys performed well, which is against the national trend.

"The majority of subjects have improved on last year's results, including maths and languages, which again bucks the national trend."

Further outstanding performances came from Emma Shepherd and Tommy Hill, who both achieved nine A* and A grades, while Michael Roff achieved eight A* and A grades.

Tommy, who is going on to Alton College, took A/S maths a year early, and was awarded a C grade.

Pupils collecting results last Thursday morning were largely undeterred by mounting criticism that the exams are becoming too easy and should be scrapped.

Sophie Lowe, who achieved two A*, four A, five B and one C grade was pleased with her results.

"I've done better than I expected. I found it all hard work and the fuss over whether or not they are getting easier has not taken anything away from the achievement.

"I would prefer more exams to course work because course work takes so long.

But Sasha Ram, who achieved two As, three Bs, two Cs and one D, does believe the current system is flawed.

"I'm pleased I passed them and they're out the way, but I do think there are problems with the GCSE syllabus.

"They make the wrong things harder which leads to too much pressure and workload, and certain aspects too easy, which doesn't stretch people."

At Wispers School, pupils achieved an 81 per cent pass rate in A to C grades, achieving good results in maths, French and Spanish. Several academic departments were rewarded with 95 to 100 per cent pass rate.

Although there were fewer A* grades this year compared to last year's record results, headmaster Henry Beltran said: "Overall there were fewer A* grades this year compared to last year's record results but in general, the pupils' efforts were rewarded with good grades.

Last week's outstanding A level results, together with GCSE results have completed a good academic year at Wispers."

At the Royal School, 18 per cent of pupils achieved A* grades and 55 per cent gained A grades, compared with the national averages of 5.1 per cent and 16.7 per cent respectively.

Amanda Richards of Headley achieved eight A* and 2 As and had one of the top five marks nationally in the drama examination.

Headmistress Lynne Taylor-Gooby said:"This is an outstanding achievement. Amanda was one of four girls who achieved seven or eight A*s.

"This is a reflection of the talent and commitment of the girls and their teachers. Amanda has made the very best of the many opportunities in school, achieving academic excellence alongside a fulfilling creative and sporting life.

"We are very proud of her and her year group."