GCSE success for St Richard's

This year, 88 per cent of students passed five or more A*-C in all subjects, with 71 per cent gaining five or more A*-C in subjects including maths and English.

It is thought the school's results might improve even further following appeals lodged with examinations board.

The majority of departments achieved a more than 80 per cent C or above pass rate with RE, maths, science, leisure and tourism, ICT, English literature, and art getting over 90 per cent C or above pass rate.

Principal Doreen Cronin said: "Congratulations to the pupils and to the staff and parents who have inspired and supported them in achieving their targets.

"We wish them every success in the next stage of their education."

Among the happy faces was 16-year-old Madeleine Fryer, from Pevensey Road in St Leonards, who had not only taught herself Japanese because she enjoyed the sound of the language but managed to get herself an A grade in the process

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She said: "I nearly didn't do it because I didn't have confidence in myself, but then a friend said I would regret it if I didn't do it. So I did... and I've got and A, I can't believe it."

Twins Sam and Maddie Wilson took their Spanish GCSE two years early, at the age of 14, and were accompanied through it by their mother Ann.

Ann said: "They are year nine, so they have done this two years early.

"We used to live in Madrid and I wanted them to maintain their language so the best way to make sure was to do it myself."