St Albans School is celebrating a record number of A* grades for the second year running with 59 per cent of entries being awarded the top grade - compared to a national figure of 6.6 per cent.

This was an increase of almost two per cent on the record the independent school set in 2014 which stands in marked contrast to the slight decrease in the award of the top grade nationally.

Some 37 per cent of the year group achieved at least eight A* grades, more than one quarter achieved at least nine A*s and 19 boys were awarded at least 10 A* grades, 17 of whom gained straight A*s.

Joshua Oliver, of Redbourn, had the distinction of achieving a ‘clean sweep’ of 12 A* grades. Twin brothers Andrew and Anthony Henein, of Welwyn, both achieved a ‘clean sweep’ of 10 A* grades, and Luke and Thomas Hopper, Harpenden, gained a combined total of 19 A*s.

Other outstanding headline figures for the school this year are 86 per cent A* and A grades - more than four times the national level of 21.2 per cent and 97 per cent A*-B, both categories showing increases compared to 2014.

These achievements are all the more noteworthy given the fact that the vast majority of examinations taken at the school are now the International GCSE (IGCSE).

Headmaster Jonathan Gillespie said that while the school was delighted at this year’s further increase in the A* record, it was the success of individual pupils that gave the greatest satisfaction.

He added: “They have my hearty congratulations on the outstanding results they have achieved at the end of two years of hard work.

“A special mention also goes to my colleagues for their expertise and dedication in enabling our candidates to achieve so highly.

“These achievements at GCSE provide an excellent springboard for the start of A-Level courses and are all the more laudable given the wide-ranging commitments our pupils make to the extra-curricular life of the school, matching their academic successes with similar accomplishments in sport, music and drama.”