THERE was great excitement at Saffron Walden County High School as students and staff celebrated some absolutely outstanding GCSE results.

In all respects this was a record breaking year for the students.

The key measure of performance (the proportion of students gaining at least five A*-C grades including English and Maths) increased by 9 per cent to reach an historic high of 79 per cent.

On the broader measure of achievement 89 per cent of students gained at least five GCSE passes at grade C or better.

There were many outstanding individual performances with as many as 116 students gaining at least five A–A* grades.

Sarah Cattley, Ally Dunham, Nathaniel Levine and Frederick Vincent all achieved 11 A* grades.

It was especially pleasing that these high level of achievements were spread so widely with as many as 215 students gaining at least one grade A or A*.

Headteacher John Hartley said: “I am really thrilled by these record breaking results.

“It will mean that virtually all will be able to pursue their first choice of post 16 choices either in our sixth form or elsewhere.

“These results, following some equally excellent A level grades last week, amount to a remarkable year of high achievement for our 16 and 18 year old students.

“I congratulate them all on their outstanding achievements and of course would like to thank, on their behalf, all the teachers who have worked incredibly hard and shown tremendous dedication to enabling our students to achieve their best.”