GCSE results at Lady Lumley's School in Pickering were up on last year - despite the slightly "confusing" new-style examinations in Maths and English.

These subjects (mathematics, English literature and English language) saw pupils graded from one to nine - with nine being top - instead of A* to G, so pupils got a mix of numbers and letters on their results form.

Head teacher at Lady Lumley's Richard Bramley said: "Another cohort of 16-year-olds were the guinea pigs as the Government tinkers."

Despite the uncertainty around the new-style examinations, the school saw 75 per cent of students receive a pass grade or above in English and maths.

Mr Bramley said: "The students have done well and we are all proud of their achievements," and he praised the "commitment, determination and effort" the pupils put into their studies.

Great individual performances included Sophie Costello, Charlotte Graham, Poppy Hudson and Lauren Oglesby, who all achieved the equivalent of 11 A/A* grades.

Lauren Bouzac, Fiona Hardman, Josh Magson and Sam Penny achieved the "extremely creditable" equivalent of 10 A/A* grades.

Poppy Hudson said: "It's such a relief." She explained that the new-style exams seemed harder but with a more generous marking scheme. "They push you more," she said. She is going on to St Peter's in York to do maths, biology, chemistry and art in Sixth Form. Beyond that? "No idea - it changes all the time."

Lauren Oglesby, who got two A* and the rest A, said she was staying on at Lady Lumley's for A -Levels. "I'm very pleased," she said. "I wasn't expecting these grades.

"After doing the new exams I was slightly nervous because I'd heard so much on the news about grades but now I'm quite happy about it!"

Charlotte Graham, who is also staying on at Lady Lumley's for Sixth Form, said: "I'm really happy - I got a 9! It's the highest you can get in the new grades, and it's in English Lit, which I thought I was going to fail."

Mr Bramley added: "Whilst we celebrate the achievements of these high-attaining students we are an inclusive, community school and we also celebrate the progress made by the vast majority of students in the school who have achieved commendable results as a result of their hard work over the years.

"As we reach the end-point of one academic year and prepare for the next, I would like to thank all the students and staff who have worked so hard and the parents and carers who have been so supportive.

"We will see most of our Year 11 students back in school in the sixth form and we wish those who are leaving us all the very best for the future."