Saffron Walden County High School saw a record number of students awarded A* or A grades in their GCSEs after results were announced this morning (August 20).

40 per cent of students recorded the top grades, with 46 pupils achieving at least 10 A*s or As. The proportion of students gaining at least five A*-Cs (including English and Maths) increased by nine per cent on last year, to stand at 80 per cent.

A number of students achieved outstanding individual results with 10 pupils gaining at least nine A*s. Adam Langworthy achieved 11 A*s, Mia Bird, Ruby Aronsohn, Natalie Johnson, Caitriona Quigley, Sophie Reynolds, Bryce Starks-Browning, and Harriet Warr all achieved 10A*s and one A; Owen Eddershaw, Liam Goddard, and Christian Shaw gained nine A*s and two As, with Luke Cornwall-Jones achieving nine A*s and one A.

John Hartley, headteacher, said: “These results ensure that virtually all our students will be able to go on to their chosen post-16 path with most entering County High’s sixth form.

“Many aspects of these results stand out, but I was especially delighted to see our best ever performance in terms of the proportion of top grades achieved. I was also very pleased that our students were unaffected by the national issues surrounding the GCSE Maths outcomes – our Maths results improved significantly on those achieved in 2014.

“Finally, I would like to congratulate all our students on their achievements and thank the staff for their immense commitment and dedication to our students’ success.”