FOR the third year in a row more than half, 52 per cent, of all GCSE entries at The Grange School have been awarded A* grades.

In addition 83 per cent were awarded either A or A*, and 97 per cent achieved no less than a B grade.

GCSE pupils at the school received their results in the recently-completed £2.6 million sixth form centre on the Hartford site.

Some 48 of the 105 students achieved nothing less than an A grade, with nine scoring A* in all their exams.

Among them, with 10 A* grades, was Great Britain Open Water swimming star Ashley Hogg, who achieved the feat despite a punishing training schedule that saw him get up at 4am on weekdays throughout his exams.

Having competed in the European Championships in the summer he is about to head out to the World Championships in Hungary next month.

“Ashley’s achievement in both water and exam hall are truly exceptional, and we congratulate him on his success in both arenas,” said headmaster Christopher Jeffery.

“In so many ways he exemplifies the approach of so many of our most successful students, who believe that working hard and playing hard is the key to both personal and academic success, instead of a narrow concentration on their studies.

“It is something we strongly encourage at The Grange, and we have seen the results of it at all levels this summer. We are proud of all of those who have achieved them.”