STUDENTS are celebrating another strong set of GCSE results in Ryedale today.

At Norton College 66 per cent of the year group secured at least grade fours in both English and maths.

More than half of the year group also secured at least a new grade five in either English or maths. Almost 80 per cent of students secured a grade four in English.

Simon Carson, senior deputy head teacher, said: “The students believed they could do it and worked hard to achieve this along with a talented and dedicated staff. We could not be more pleased for them.

“It was exciting to see some children secure the new A** grade nine in a range of subjects. These grades are reserved for only three per cent of all children in the country.

“A special mention should go to Cassia Edwards, who secured five grade nines and five grade eights.”

Head teacher Phil Loftus said: “Students faced a tougher challenge this year with GCSE subjects having more challenging content and no coursework element, however, this is yet another strong performance from the class of 2018."

At Lady Lumley’s School head teacher Richard Bramley said: “Although the new examinations do put more pressure on the young people, our students have coped with the challenge.

"We are really pleased this year’s results show a noticeable increase in the scores achieved by the students. Lady Lumley’s prides itself on being a truly comprehensive school so we are over the moon with this year’s results.”

In English, 79 per cent of the grades achieved by the students were grade four or above (the old C grade), in maths 74 per cent and science 77 per cent of the grades being four or above, with 60 per cent above grade five.

Mr Bramley added: "This has been a strong set of results for the school, and it has been a good summer as we celebrated our stunning A-level results. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students and staff who have worked so hard and the parents and carers who have been so supportive."

Malton School head teacher Rob Williams praised Year 11 students for achieving “a super set of GCSE results”.

Seventy-five per cent of all students achieved a four or above in English or maths and 67 per cent achieved five or more GCSEs at grades nine to four (the equivalent of the old A* to C) including English and maths.

Nationally 66.6 per cent of all grades were achieved at four or above, while at Malton it was 74 per cent. 

Deputy head Mick Fenwick said: “It has been a very positive morning in school with the vast majority of our students achieving in line with or above their expected grades.”

At Ryedale School, 82 per cent of students gained a grade four or above (standard pass) in English and maths; 61 per cent of students gained a grade five or above in English and maths and 34 per cent of all grades achieved were top grades (A*/A/ 7/8/9)    

Mark McCandless, executive head teacher, said: "Our students can feel justifiably proud of their performance and are now able to see the value of their sustained efforts during their time at Ryedale.

"Equally as impressive as the number of top grades achieved are the results of those students who have worked so hard to achieve their target grades and fulfil their potential.

"I would like to wish our students all the very best as they embark upon their chosen Post 16 courses."