ALMOST half of the Year 11 leavers cohort at Weaverham High School achieved the highest grade available amid the changing face of GCSE examinations.

This year saw all GCSE subjects take on the new linear system with numbered grades replacing letters – with almost 80 per cent of students achieving a grade 4 or higher in English and 72 per cent gaining grade 4 or above in maths.

Overseeing her first results day as Weaverham High headteacher, Clare Morgan said: “This year we celebrate excellence across all areas of school as pupils have achieved Grade 9s in every faculty.

“The new GCSE qualifications are rigorous and demanding. It is a great credit to our pupils that they rose to the occasion and worked hard to achieve this wonderful set of results without diluting the experiences and opportunities Weaverham High School offers.

Northwich Guardian:

“They deserve everyone’s warmest congratulations as we are deeply proud of them.”

Miss Morgan added that, while comparisons are difficult due to the ongoing changes, pupil progress has improved and most Weaverham students will now take up their first choice places in further education.

She said: “We are proud of the rounded, grounded and inspiring young people they have become whilst on their Weaverham journey. They are prepared to embrace the challenges that lie ahead of them.

“I would like to thank all our staff for their determination and uncompromising strive for excellence that has been put into this year’s results, our governors for their encouragement, and our parents for their unceasing support of our aims and ambitions for these wonderful young people.”

Tom Scott was among those celebrating his results, having exceeded his expectations and booked a place at college.

He said: “I did really well, I am really pleased with how I got on.

Northwich Guardian:

“I have tried not to think about it – I was expecting not to do very well for some reason. I tried really hard but I didn’t think I would end up with these results.”

Faye Warrington and Jay Fowler each gained straight 9s in their results.

Aspiring graphic designer Faye said: “It’s amazing, I’m so happy.

“It was a bit stressful – I didn’t necessarily come out of the exams thinking I had done that well so to have results like this is just amazing.”

Jay, who is eyeing up architecture for his future studies, added: “I have had a few nerves the past couple of days but nothing as bad as I thought it would be.

“It was just shocking this morning and I didn’t really believe what I was looking at.”