THE head teacher at Malton School said he was very proud of the achievements of the students.

This year saw the introduction of a new-style GCSE examinations system in which the old grades A* to G are being replaced by a numerical system 9 to 1 - where 9 is the highest grade and 4 is the equivalent to the old C grade.

Malton School headteacher, Rob Williams, said: The content of the new GCSEs is more challenging. The Association of School and College Leaders have said that it is important to emphasis that the results of the reformed GCSEs cannot be compared with the old GCSEs as they are entirely new courses with a new grading system."

Mr Williams said students at Malton School have performed well in the first year of this new system with 64% achieving the new 'basics' measure of a 4 or about in both English and maths. A total of 23 students has strong individual performances of five or more grades at the equivalent of A or A*.

"I am very proud of the achievements of these young people and all the students in this year group who have worked so hard being the first ones to go through this new system. We have an excellent sixth form at Malton and Ii know many of these students are looking forward to staying on with us, my very best wishes for the future go out to all of them."