STUDENTS, teachers and parents are celebrating successful GCSE results despite tough changes to exams.

In the first year of the new GCSE grading system - which saw grades A*-G replaced with 9-1, with 9 being the highest - the Sir John Colfox Academy, Bridport, comfortably beat the national average, with 70 per cent of all grades achieved being at the ‘high grade’ pass level. Pass rates for core subjects were 78 per cent in English, 70 per cent in maths and 84 per cent in science.

Headteacher David Herbert said: "I am delighted for our students who have been very well-rewarded for all their hard work. In this first year where the vast majority of subjects are following the new syllabuses with new 9-1, grading it is hard for people to understand just what the new top grades mean. Nationally only three per cent of the students in each subject are expected to achieve a grade 9, so anyone who has done this has met a very high bar indeed."

Stand out individual performances came from Samuel Clarke, who achieved five 9s, three 8s and two 7s, Chloe Robinson , who achieved four 9s and six 8s, Archie Dunbar, who secured five 9s, an 8, three 7s and a 6 and Milly Edwardes, who achieved two 9s, four 8s, three 7s and a 6.

Mr Herbert added: ‘It is so important not to lose sight of the wide range of subjects that the students follow, especially with the national spotlight always focussed on English and maths. We are committed to providing balance in our curriculum and I am delighted with excellent pass rates in biology, physics chemistry, food and nutrition, drama and art. At a time when the Government has highlighted how few students nationally have been taking a foreign language, due to their difficulty, I am very pleased that the majority of ours did so and that 65 per cent passed at a high level."

Colfox forms part of the Minerva Learning Trust. Executive principal, Kay Taylor, said: "This has been a particularly difficult year for staff and students due to the new GCSEs. This has naturally made students anxious. It is wonderful, therefore, to see how well students have done and this year all the staff in the school deserve extra credit for supporting them so well through all the change. Congratulations to all students on their success – it was very well deserved."

A great set of results also came from the Beaminster School, with more than half of students gaining the equivalent of an A*-B.

Outstanding individual performances include Polly Martin, who achieved five 9s, four 8s and a 7, Max Hull and Imi Neylan, who both secured three 9s, three 8s and four 7s, Pippa Francis, who achieved two 9s, three 8s and three 7s, and Josh Perry who achieved two 9s, two 8s and four 7s.

Headteacher Keith Hales said: “The new 9-1 grading criteria is not directly equivalent to the A*-G system, but the Government is targeting 70 per cent for 4+ grades. With English, maths, science, humanities and French all achieving this, we are delighted by our outcomes. The year group had a really positive and focused approach to their studies and these performances are a real credit to them, alongside the hard work and skill of staff in carefully preparing the students for these new examinations.”

And the Woodroffe School, Lyme Regis, saw 81 per cent of students achieve a standard pass in both English and maths, and 60 per cent achieve a strong pass.

Headteacher Richard Steward said: "Woodroffe is unusual in that the majority of students continue to take a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE. This means that our eBacc scores are always high, and this year it was no different with 46 per cent of them achieving the eBacc. Entries for separate sciences are also always high and this year the standard pass rate was 100 per cent in all three subjects. Religious Studies, sadly neglected in many schools, is also worth a mention since nine out of the 27 entries achieved a grade 9.

There were some excellent individual performances at Woodroffe: Theo Coleman gained seven 9s, plus two A*s from subjects still using the old system; Jamie Waplington achieved five 9s, one A*, and four 8s; Sean Harvey six 9s, and two 8s; Grace Bellorini five 9s and three 8s; Max Helston four 9s, one A* and three 8s; Beth Gillies three 9s, two A*s and two 8s; Kitty Ford, five 9s and two *s; Chloe Saltmarsh, two 9s, two A*s, and four 8s; Oscar Bowskill, four 9s and two 8s; Louis King four 9s and four 8s.

Mr Stewart added: "I am delighted to say that the vast majority of students will be joining the sixth form where I am sure they will continue to do well. A-level results were also impressive this year and serve to underline the overall excellence of the school."