Students at Stratton Upper School in Biggleswade are celebrating after opening their GCSE results this morning.

The Comet: The new GCSE 1-9 grading and how it matches up with the A*-GThe new GCSE 1-9 grading and how it matches up with the A*-G (Image: Archant)

Headteacher Rob Watson has praised students, who are in the first year to be scored under the new 1-to-9 system in maths and English.

He said: “This has been a particularly anxious time for students and teachers.

“When there is any significant change to exam structures there is always a great deal of uncertainty, so it is pleasing to see our outcomes hold up so well.”

Assistant headteacher Alun Evans said: “Although this is the first year to see the new style grades, some things don’t change – students’ hard work is always rewarded!”

The Comet: Students Stephen and Effi open their results.Students Stephen and Effi open their results. (Image: Archant)

Head of year Rob Clarke added: “In the new exams, the number of grades has been extended to 9.

“A grade 9 is a special award given to the top two to three per cent of students in England.

“So today we can proudly announce that the following students are among the first in the country to achieve this recognition – Effi Balogh, Annabel Davies, Stephen Day, Csenge Keri, Gemma King, Alex Scoles, Amy Williams, Molly Mahoney, Christina Anka, Mitchell Kettlewell and Andrew Hughes.”

Deputy headteacher Roz Hodges said the school welcomes the new exam system.

The Comet: Students opening their results.Students opening their results. (Image: Archant)

She said: “It really helps us identify those students who have achieved fantastic outcomes by highlighting exceptional progress since these students completed their SATs five years ago.

“Students like Emma Royston, Charlotte and Amy Gilbert, Kyle Masterson and Michal Zielinski are examples of the many students who have achieved grades that represent excellence both in their commitment and in the quality of teaching at Stratton.”

Rob Watson added: “The vast majority of these students will return to Stratton in September as sixth-formers.

“They will be joining a sixth form that only last week was confirmed as within the top 15 per cent nationally for A-level.

“With these students and our track record for achievement, we can look forward to an amazing year ahead.”

Overall results were not available.