PARENTS looked on proudly from the side-lines as pupils at Archway School tentatively opened their GCSE results this morning.

The school in Paganhill enjoyed another good year, with jubilant celebrations breaking out among the happy pupils and their delighted teachers.

Tears of both joy and sadness were shed as groups of friends early swapped grades, hugged and called proud parents to tell them the good news.

This year 85 per cent of students gained A*-C grade in English and 75 per cent in maths – something head teacher Colin Belford is particularly pleased about.

“It’s been another great year of results. I’m so proud of all our pupils,” he told the SNJ.

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“The amount of students getting A* to C grades in English and maths is phenomenal.

“And the amount of our pupils who got five or more A* to C grades is up 10 per cent on the previous year.

“That is down to the months of hard work and revision these kids have done, as well as the support given by our incredible teaching staff. Everyone has something to be proud of today.

“As a teacher results day is one of the best things you get to experience. The atmosphere here this morning was amazing. It’s amazing to see so many happy faces.

“We had some incredible individual results too.”

One of these achievers was 16-year-old Isaac Armstrong, from Rodborough, who picked up seven A*s, five As and a distinction*.

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He said: “I’m so happy with the grades. I was so nervous I couldn’t sleep that well on Wednesday night. So I was absolutely shattered this morning.

“But in the end it was all okay. Most of my friends got the grades they wanted to, which is an added bonus. I just need to ring my mum now and let her know the good news.”

Isaac said he’s planning to stay on at Archway for his A-levels in September. He plans to take maths, further maths, chemistry and history.

He will be joined by high flyer Chloe Smith, 16, who achieved six A*s and three As.

“I didn’t even dream it would go this well, I’m so happy. I know my parents are going to be so proud,” she said.

“I want to study biology, chemistry, maths and English next year. The teaching staff here are great and all my friends are staying – so Archway is definitely the best place to do my A-levels.”

Her fellow pupil Maisie Hansed, 16, was shaking as she opened her results sheet.

“I can’t believe it,” she said. “I’m in shock – I never thought I’d do so well. I honestly thought I’d failed five of these and got some Bs in some of the others.

But fail she did not – quite the opposite in fact. She picked up four A*s and five As.

“I’m so happy all the hard work paid off. There were a few sleepless nights during my revision schedule.

“I couldn’t sleep last night either or even eat breakfast this morning because I was so nervous.”

One of the happiest face in the school ground appeared on the face of 16-year-old Jacob Russell, who gained three A*s, six Bs and two As.

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“I’m shocked and so happy with how I did,” he said. “It’s a really surreal moment actually. You’ve thought and worried about it for so long and now it has actually happened.

“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. But I put a lot of work in so it’s great to see it all pay off.

“I want to say thank you to all the teachers, they have been great. They really helped me get A*s in three of my favourite subjects; further maths, physics and geography.

“I’m looking forward to studying maths, further maths, physics and computing back here at Archway in September.”

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