‘Tremendous’ GCSE results for St Albans schools - with gallery

GCSE results were released two days earlier this year - but it made no difference to the calibre of the results across the St Albans district

According to STASSH – St Albans and Harpenden Secondary Headteachers – students, staff and parents have every reason to be proud of their success.

Chair of STASSH, Elizabeth Hitch, described the results as “tremendous” and said that once again they confirmed the very high standard of education in the area.

She added: “Head teachers across the area would like to thank staff for all their hard work and parents for all their invaluable support in enabling the young people to achieve so highly.

Nearly every school had their own tale to tell:

* Roundwood Park

Excellent GCSE results at Roundwood Park School in Harpenden were capped by several students achieving A* grades in every subject.

The school has reported outstanding individual performances.

* Sir John Lawes

Many students achieved strings of A and A* grades. Over 40 per cent of all the grades were at A or A* and 38 students achieved eight or more of the highest grades.

The school was particularly pleased with its first-ever set of results for the new Extended Project qualification.

* St George’s

Every pupil got English and maths at GCSE when results were given out and, as well as the full house in the two subjects, 180 out of the 192 pupils got at least five A* to C grades and 94 per cent achieved a GCSE in a foreign language.

* St Albans Girls School (STAGS)

A and A* GCSE passes at STAGS were the highest ever this year, the pass rate was up and the school has singled out some exceptional successes.

Among them was Molly Hunt, who achieved 10 A* grades despite battling cancer throughout her school life.

Other high achievers include Lexie Heale and Bethan Donaghey, who also achieved 10 A* grades, and Ting Ting Xiong who achieved nine A* grades, two As and an AS level grade A. Twenty seven girls achieved nine, 9.5 and 10 A*/A grades.

* Loreto College

The school declared itself to be delighted with its GCSE results with students working extremely hard and being rewarded with some outstanding grades. Twenty five girls achieved over 10 straight A* and A grades.

* Beaumont

Record GCSE results were obtained at Beaumont with many Year 9 students also collecting excellent French or German GCSE results and the maths GCSE results for the Year 10s were described as superb.

* Sandringham

Year 11 students at Sandringham School have been celebrating another set of record GCSE results. Many students gained the highest grades, including in the core subjects of English, maths and science.

* Verulam

A testament to hard work and determination was the comment from the head after boys at Verulam School in St Albans achieved GCSE success.

Head of Year 11, Mrs Harrison, added: “I was delighted to see so many boys excelling by reaching their potential, especially those boys who reached the highest grades.”

* Francis Bacon

Outstanding GCSE results have been notched up this year by students at Francis Bacon School.

Special mention has been made of Helen Aylett with 11 A grades, including four A*, and three B, Nozrul Ismal who achieved five A grades, including one at A*, and five Bs, Shailen Mistry with four A grades and 10 B grades and Kimberley Wood who gained six A grades, including one A*, and six B grades.

* Marlborough

Some outstanding individual performances were notched up by students at Marlborough School.

Assistant head, Andrew Stanton, said: “We are proud of our students and would like to congratulate them on their successes and wish them the very best in their next step.”

* Nicholas Breakspear

The vast majority of Year 11 students at Nicholas Breakspear School in St Albans will be able to continue their studies next year in the wake of their GCSE results.

* St Albans High School

Every GCSE student at St Albans High School achieved results at A*-C with 86 per cent at A and A*. Twelve girls achieved an A* grade in all their subjects and the results included success in the much more rigorous IGCSE exams in maths and science.

* Oaklands College

Every student who took GCSE Italian at Oaklands College came out with an A* grade with all students taking Spanish GCSE gaining an A*-C grade.

Overall, two-thirds of learners, 69 per cent, achieved an A*-C grade across subjects including English, maths and science with the pass rate 98 per cent.