STUDENTS at Upton-by-Chester High school have been congratulated on a "stunning" set of GCSE results.

Headteacher Paula Dixon said this year’s results are amongst the best the school has ever had.

"Despite the increased rigour of the new exam specifications and major changes to the grading system, the results at Upton are excellent," she said.

"84 per cent of our students have gained a grade 4 or above in maths, 82 per cent in English and 89 per cent in science."

Under the new grading system a 4 is equivalent to the old grade C, grades 7-8 are the same as the old A*-A and the new top Grade 9 is higher than the old grade A* and therefore even harder to achieve.

"Nationally, only the top 2-3 per cent of all results are graded as a 9 but here at Upton that figure is 5 per cent!" added Mrs Dixon.

"There have also been some wonderful results from all of our students which make us feel extremely proud."

Individual successes include:

  • Rhona Cook – 6 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 1 grade 7

  • Amy McDermott - 6 grade 9; 2 grade 8; 1 A*

  • Lewis Wilkinson – 6 grade 9; 1 grade 8; 1 A*; 1 grade 6

  • Mia Nelson – 6 grade 9; 1 grade 8; 1 grade 7; 1A*

  • Eve Dixon – 5 grade 9; 2 grade 8; 1 grade 7; 1 A*; 1 Level 2 Distinction

  • Bethan Rhoden – 5 grade 9; 3 grade 7; 1 Level 2 Distinction

  • Tom Ashcroft – 4 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 1 grade A; 1 grade 6

  • Amy Batchelor – 4 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 2 grade 7; 1 Level 2 Distinction

  • Joshua Beggs – 3 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 1 Level 2 Distinction; 1 grade 6

  • Au Vy – 3 grade 9; 2 grade 8; 1 grade 7; 1 grade 5; 1A*; 1A

  • Sasha Ravetz – 3 grade 9; 2 grade 8; 2 grade 7; 1 Level 2 Distinction

  • Bella Lopez-Randall – 3 grade 9; 2 grade 8; 1 grade 7; 1 grade 6; 1 Level 2 Distinction; 1 Level 2 Merit

  • Eleisha Grimshaw – 3 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 2 grade 6; 1 Level 2 Distinction

  • Liam Lowe – 1 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 3 grade 7; 1 grade A; 1 grade 6

  • Rebecca Sherriff – 1 grade 9; 3 grade 8; 3 grade 7; 1 grade 6; 1 grade B

  • Lucy Greenwood – 2 grade 9; 2 grade 8; 3 grade 7; 1 grade 6; 1 grade A

  • Isabelle Antrobus – 2 grade 8; 5 grade 7; 1 grade 6; 1 Level 2 Distinction

  • Megan Brocklehurst – 2 grade 8; 3 grade 7; 1 grade 6; 2 grade A; 1 Level 2 Distinction

"I am absolutely thrilled with these results’ said Mrs Dixon. "Our students have done extremely well, in spite of the changes to the exam system which have been very challenging.

"Thanks to their hard work, the outstanding commitment of our superb staff and the excellent support from parents and carers our students’ results are way above both national and local averages.

"These are results of which we should all be extremely proud!"