A RECORD 40 students at Milford’s Rodborough School, achieved eight or more GCSEs at grade seven (formerly grade A), with 25 attaining 10 or more.

Headteacher Matthew Armstrong-Harris told The Herald: “This year’s GCSE results are the best we have ever achieved.

“This is an outstanding achievement, as 2018 has seen the introduction of new GCSEs for most subjects, which have been designed to be more challenging.

“I am proud of our students for facing this challenge so successfully.

“They have performed wonderfully and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers and other staff at Rodborough for their hard work supporting our students.”

Performing well above the national average of 70.2 per cent, 91 per cent of Rodborough pupils attained a grade four (formerly C) or above in English.

In mathematics, 84 per cent of Rodborough students attained a grade four or above, compared with the initial national figure of 71 per cent.

The overall pass rate of four and above at Rodborough, was 84.5 per cent, compared with 69.2 per cent nationally, with 38.2 per cent of all passes at grades 7-9 (formerly A/A*) compared with the national figure of 21.4 per cent.

Standout students were Daphne Pleming, who attained top grade nine in all 12 of her GCSEs; Lola Wright attained 11 grade nines, and Stella Richardson achieved 10.

In addition, Izzy Barnett, Abigail Barrass, Josephine Beagley, Emily Brook, Matthew Casey, Kirah Chenhall, Charlotte Cranfield, Finn Culver, Adam Curry, Natalie Feasey, Matt Gill, Elsbeth Horgan, Thomas Horsley, Tilda Hughes, Oliver Jones, Sarah-Jayne Moore, Bethany Nash, Lucy Stephenson, Rachel Thomas, Angus Thompson, Emma Tomlinson and Madeleine Vince all gained at least 10 grade sevens.

nAlso celebrating excellent GCSE results, is St Edmund’s School, in Hindhead.

Its 2018 cohort of pupils achieved a pass rate of 96 per cent at grades 4-9, with 25 per cent passing at grade nine, 54 per cent at grades 7-9 and 85 per cent at 6-9.

In total, there were 18 passes at grade nine.

In English, there were 66 per cent passes between grades seven and nine – and, for the second year running, 100 per cent from six to nine.

Overall, almost a quarter of year 11 pupils taking GCSEs achieved nine or more grades 7-9, and half passed all their papers at grades 6-9.

Year 10 candidates sitting GCSEs early, all passed at grades 6-9, with 42 per cent attaining grades 7-9.

Headmaster Adam Walliker, said: “I am delighted to see so many of our students posting top grades and achieving their potential against the stiffest competition. 

“Equally, as a non-selective school, I am enormously proud of those children who find academic life more challenging. They have worked hard and have exceeded all expectations by achieving grades beyond predictions. The value added to our students’ experience across the ability range, through our commitment to small classes and top quality teaching, has paid huge dividends this year. My thanks go to the teaching and pastoral staff for their dedication and commitment.

“They provide a hugely supportive environment, in which the children can thrive academically.”