STUDENTS in North Yorkshire were celebrating outstanding GCSE results last Thursday as the region’s teenagers continue to perform above the national average.

Schools across the area were celebrating excellent results, with many breaking records from previous years.

Lady Lumley’s School, in Pickering, was celebrating 71 per cent of students gaining a grade C or above in maths and English, while at Malton School 75 per cent of students achieved five GCSEs, including maths and English at A* to C grade, beating last year’s figure by 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, Norton College was thrilled that 65 per cent of students achieved five A*-C grades, including maths and English, while Ryedale School celebrated 72 per cent of the year group achieving five or more grades at A* to C, including English and maths.

The results come following changes to GCSE exams, which came with the warning to expect some “volatility” following an overhaul of the system.

Changes saw a greater emphasis put on the exams rather than coursework and modular units across Year 10 and 11.

Councillor Arthur Baker, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for schools, said that despite the changes, the region had continued to perform well for yet another year.

He said: “We must congratulate all our students on their personal success.

“Results so far this year show that the proportion of pupils achieving passes at A* to C, including English and maths, will be more than 65 per cent for the third year running.

“There has been a great deal of change in the exam system for students and teachers at this level, so these results are commendable.

“There is much for us to be proud of.”

Richard Bramley, headteacher at Lady Lumley’s, said: “Earlier in the year, the examination boards issued warnings that GCSE results could be very different this year and so we are very pleased that our results are so good.”

Several students at the school were celebrating achieving A* and A grades, including Louise Scupham, of Snainton, who achieved 10 A* and one A.

She said: “I am really, really pleased and it’s great that all my hard work has finally paid off. It has been very stressful at times but definitely worth it.”

Meanwhile at Malton School, twins Tom and Joe Wing, of Norton, were both celebrating equally fantastic results. Tom gained two A*, three As and three Bs, while Joe gained two A*, five As and three Bs and both will be staying on to study at the school’s sixth form.

Joe said: “I am relieved. It has been a lot of stress over a long period of time waiting for them.”

GCSE results

Ampleforth College>>

Easingwold School>>

Lady Lumley's School>>

Malton School>>

Norton College>>

Scarborough Sixth Form College>>