"Superb" GCSE results for Bexhiill High

Results published this week showed 82 per cent of students achieved five GCSE passes with grades A-C.

This is a significant increase from 68 per cent last year.

Meanwhile the number of students who recorded five passes from A-C, including English and Maths, has risen to 50 per cent as compared with 38 per cent in 2009.

Executive principal Mike Conn described the results as "truly superb" and said he was "very proud" of Year 11 students and staff.

He also thanked Ninestiles private education company for its part in improving standards.

He added: "But, most importantly, I want to acknowledge the efforts and the sheer hard work of both our pupils and our staff.

"Results aren't everything but they are very important, and the success here is very important, both for the individuals, and also for the school itself.

"We have had our critics in recent months. And yes, we had a very disappointing mini-inspection from OFSTED, which drew criticism.

"It's been a tough time, what with planning the opening of the new building, the subsequent delay, and the day-to-day running of the school as well.

"Today we can reflect on success. Bexhill High is entering an upward spiral, and I am sure that we will go from strength to strength.

"These results were important. It means success for our pupils. It also means the community can see that we are succeeding.

"At the start of next month a new term begins. We must all be ready for the challenges we face in the coming months."

The mood of optimism was perhaps reflected in the faces of youngsters congregating at the school on Tuesday morning to find out how they had done.

Sixteen-year-old Natalie Packman, from Cumberland Road, was "excited but nervous" as she got ready to open her results.

She commented: "I didn't sleep last night '“ I was up for a long time worrying and there was the excitement of receiving the results."

Katie Horscroft, of Collington Rise, was "really pleased" with her A* in art and said: "I got the results I wanted."

Emily Peters, of Terminus Avenue, thought her results were "really good" and she was especially pleased with her A* in PE.

Jamie Campbell, of Wrestwood Road, was about to tear open his envelope but commented: "I am a bit nervous. This has been a lot of hard work. I've put a lot into the last couple of years '“ it's what school has been all about, really."

Kat Skeates, of Lullington Close, added she was pleased with her results which were all As and Bs.

"Some of them are higher than I thought they would be '“ so its pretty good."