“A HIGH watermark” was how the headteacher of Marriotts School described this year’s record-breaking GCSE results.

The Stevenage school had their highest ever proportion of students - 83 per cent - achieve five grades at A*-C, a 12 per cent increase on last year.

A total of 45 per cent achieved five A*-C grades including English and maths, six per cent higher than in 2010.

Across the year group, 21 per cent of students achieved five grades at A*-Cs with at least one pass at AS level, with two per cent of students with three AS passes at grades A or B.

Under the school’s curriculum model, a third of Year 11 students had the opportunity to take level 3 courses (A-level and BTEC Level 3).

“Our overall performance has maintained our recent rapid increase in results,” said headteacher Patrick Marshall.

“This is the first year a third of our cohort have done A-levels so this is a special year for us. I am delighted for all the students and proud of their achievements which are a high watermark for the school.”

Elizabeth Redfern was the outstanding performer, achieving 10 A*s, two As, one B and two Cs at GCSE and two As, one C and one D at AS level.

Other high-fliers were Shannon Quinn (seven A*s, four As, three Bs and two Cs at GCSE and one A, two Bs and a D at AS), Nadine Gabriel (two A*s, four As, four Bs and two Cs at GCSE and one A, two Bs and a D at AS), Lizzie Selley (six A*s, three Bs and seven Cs at GCSE and one C, one D and an E at AS), Kelly Cottee (six A*s, one A, four Bs and four Cs at GCSE and one B and one C at AS) and Natalie Edwards (four A*s, two As, three Bs and four Cs at GCSE and one B and three Cs at AS).

The Telford Avenue school also highlighted students James Potter (one A*, four As, one B and one C at GCSE and two As and a B at AS), Sara Raza (four As, five Bs and four Cs at GCSE and one C and three Ds at AS), Maisey Thomas (two A*s, one A, one B and seven Cs at GCSE and two As at AS), Patricia Mooney (four A*s, six Bs and five Cs at GCSE and one C and a D at AS), Ian Hackett (two A*s, four As, three Bs and five Cs at GCSE and a C at AS) and Sophie Finch (four A*s, four As, six Bs and four Cs at GCSE).

Mr Marshall added: “This is the result of hard work and commitment put in by students, staff and parents over many years and they are all to be heartily congratulated.

“We are celebrating every child’s success today who has achieved passes in these exams and I wish to congratulate my whole staff team for all their hard work.”