MILL Chase Academy year-11 pupils received their GCSE results last Thursday, with the school reporting “imp-rovements in a number of key areas”.

“I am so proud of our students’ achievements this year, which show that more students are achieving A*-A grades than ever before at Mill Chase Academy,” school principal Paul Hemmings said.

“The staff, students and parents have worked incredibly well together to ensure that young people in Whitehill and Bordon achieve their very best.”

In mathematics, 69 per cent of students achieved grades A*-C, while in English language the figure was 78 per cent.

Mr Hemmings said that, along with many other schools, the academy was appealing some results for the iGCSE English-language qualification so this figure had not yet been finalised. But initial figures showed that 46 per cent of students achieved A*-C in English and mathematics in the iGCSEs, with the number expected to rise, as it did last year, following the appeals. 

iGCSEs are similar to GCSEs but rely more on the results of final examinations - often the preference for higher achieving students - than GCSEs.

A priority for the academy this year has been the performance of its most able students.

In 11 subjects, more than 20 per cent of students achieved the top A*-A grades, with the figure at 29 per cent in history, 32 per cent in computing, 47 per cent in physics, 53 per cent in chemistry, 53 per cent in biology, 80 per cent in philosophy and 92 per cent in further mathematics.

The further-mathematics qualification allows students to achieve an A^ which is even higher than an A*, and 33 per cent of students taking the subject achieved A^.

Mr Hemmings said he was looking forward to the year ahead, with further additions to his staff team. 

“One of the most important roles I have as principal is to ensure that the very best teachers remain at the academy while appointing good-quality, talented staff,” he added.

“Several new teachers join us in September which will strengthen the academy still further and allow us, working together with the University of Chichester Academy Trust, to continue to improve education in our town.”