A HEADTEACHER who has “transformed” John Henry Newman Catholic School has bowed out on a high after 87 per cent of pupils achieved five or more grades at A* to C.

After 19 years at the Stevenage school, headteacher Michael Kelly has retired in a year when 40 per cent of all GCSE exams taken resulted in A*s or As.

Incoming head Clive Mathew, who takes over in September, said: “Our pupils have once again achieved excellent examination results and we are all very pleased for them. This is a marvellous testimony to the hard work and dedication of our pupils, the incredible support of their parents and the brilliant leadership of the school by Mr Kelly, our retiring headteacher.

“When Mr Kelly arrived at the school 19 years ago the percentage of pupils achieving five or more grades A-C at GCSE was 42 per cent. He has during his time completely transformed the school and the community owe him a great deal of thanks.”

One sour note for the school were the marks in English papers, with Mr Mathew adding: “Many schools across the country are disappointed with the way in which English papers have been marked and we, along with them, will be monitoring the situation and asking the examination board to explain their actions.”