GCSE results at Bexhill High School and St Richards Catholic College

BEXHILL students joined those around the country celebrating GCSE results day yesterday.

Bexhill High and St Richards both improved on last year's passes, with St Richards breaking its own records for the second year running.

Last year the Ashdown Road Science specialist college became the first in the county to pass the 90 per cent barrier for five or more GCSEs at A*-C in all subjects and the 80 per cent barrier for five passes including English and maths.

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The results propelled them into the nation's top 30 schools, and makes them the subject of a new book about best teaching practice.

This year, 93 per cent of the Catholic College pupils gained five or more GCSEs at A*-C in all subjects, with 80.4 per cent achieving A*-C in at least five subjects including English and maths.

Glenn Clark, assistant principal at the college, said: "Once again these results are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our staff, the hard work and wonderful attitude of our pupils and the great support given by all our parents and carers.

"We are delighted to have kept up the standards and everyone in the college has driven themselves to making St Richard's one of the best schools in the country.

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"Well done to everyone and thank you for all your hard work!"

He described a concerted effort on behalf of all staff, and mentioned particularly the dedication of the maths department, who hold Easter holiday revision sessions attended voluntarily by around 50 pupils.

He said: "We've set ourselves pretty high targets and we've managed to beat them."

Bexhill High principal Mike Conn said he had "every reason to celebrate the success of the children of Bexhill High," as the year group improved on last year's results by one per cent, with 38 per cent of year 11 children gaining at least five A*-C grades including English and Maths.

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The High School also had an impressive 59 year nine pupils pass the maths statistics GCSE at A*-C level, and 29 year nines passing English Language.

Mr Conn said: "Historically we've had a real problem with maths because it's been hard to get teachers, so this is particularly welcome in the long term development of the school.

"These children go into Year Ten already with a statistics GCSE."

Sixty-four year 10s passed English Language at A*-C, and another 24 gained English Literature. Seven year 11 pupils successfully worked above their level to pass an AS-Level in critical thinking at A*-C.

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Tempering his pride at pupils' achievements with an acceptance of work to come, Mr Conn spoke of his hopes for the new high school development. He said: "For me its a hollow victory because I'm a great believer in us making sure every child is qualified with English and maths.

"The new school will allow the flexibility to do that, I think it will help us with our development.

"We've every reason to celebrate. The children have worked really hard this year, and the results are better than predictions.

"But as in every year I want to be better."

The national pass rate increased again this year, figures showed, with one in five GCSEs resulting in an A or A*. Only 1.4 per cent of students now fail a GCSE.

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