STUDENTS and teachers at Thomas Keble are celebrating after the school equalled its record breaking GCSE results of 2013 despite concerns about the new exam regime.

Not to be outdone by their predecessors this year’s crop of Year 11 students maintained the high standards of last year, with 67 per cent of them achieving 5 or more A*-C including English and Maths.

In total, 75 per cent of pupils received 5 or more A*-C GCSEs, while 100 per cent obtained 5 or more A*-G grades.

Thomas Keble School also had its share of high fliers, with 30 per cent of students achieving 3 or more A*/A grades and ten students in the year group of 132 reaching the very highest standard of 8 or more A*/As. 

In a year in which the exam regulator OFQUAL had been warning of mixed results, the school said it was ‘delighted’ with its performance.

 “Despite all of the national scaremongering about volatility and massive changes to the exam system we have equalled last year’s results and we are absolutely delighted because those were our best ever,” said Thomas Keble’s headteacher Julie Maunder.

“We have always believed that in a time of massive change in education, our principle of ensuring all of our students follow a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum would weather the storms of recent times. 

“These results fully justify the approach we have taken. It is a testament to the hard work of all students, staff and parents that we are able to celebrate these fantastic achievements with our young people. We are very proud of them all.”

Among those celebrating their GCSE results at Thomas Keble was star student Erin O’Neil, from Chalford.

Standing alongside her proud mother, the 16-year-old, who received eight A*, two As, and 2 Bs, said: “I’m very pleased with my results. I worked really hard and I’m glad they went well.

“I’m now hoping to study maths, biology, chemistry and history at Stroud High.”

Georgia May Fouracres-Phillips, who lives near Birdlip, was another top performer.

She scored 4 A*s in business and communication systems, catering, geography and RE, along with 5 As in her other subjects.

“I was very nervous but getting my results today was a massive weight off my shoulders. I haven’t been worrying about today all summer but the last couple of weeks I’ve started to think about it more,” said Georgia May, who will now go on to study A-levels in business studies, maths, catering and geography at Cirencester College in September.

Not all students were in such a rush to tear open their white envelopes though.

Will Goodwin, 16, said he planned to return home before looking at them so he could share the moment with his family.

A talented rugby player, the youngster from Burleigh, had already received an offer of a sports scholarship from Wycliffe College, but had been force to delay taking it up for a year following a knee operation to repair a loose bit of bone.

“I have got the scholarship already but I am still hoping to get the grades so I can study the subjects I want,” he said.

“I’m a bit worried about my English GCSE but ideally I’d like to study geography and business studies along with the BTEC in sport.”