Celebrations were in order for the students at Hertswood Academy as they achieved the best ever GCSE results.

This is the fifth year running that the school has surpassed their record, with 75 per cent of students receiving as strong pass in maths, and the same number achieving the same in English.

The academy has bucked against the national trend of students getting lower grades, and flies in the face of the new marking system.

The amount of students receiving the new 9 mark was significantly higher at Hertswood was also significantly higher than the national average.

Head of year Helen Jenner said: “I have been their head of year since Year 8, so I did not sleep last night either.

“I am over the moon with how well they have all done.

“It has been difficult with the new exam markings, so the fact that they have achieved better grades is just amazing.”

Headteacher Peter Gillett said: “It has been an amazing day, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students for what they have achieved.

“Congratulations to our students and staff for their incredible hard work and dedication in achieving these results and many thanks to our parents for their outstanding support.”

Students at the Elstree University Technical College (EUTC) did particularly well in their specialist courses with half of students achieving Distinction* grades in the specialist production makeup BTEC, and a third of students reaching the same grade in the light, sound and technology course.

In GCSEs at the college, 66 per cent of students studying English, 61 per cent of maths students and 54 per cent of those taking science exams achieving A* to C grades.

Principal, Chris Mitchell said the following “We are so pleased to see our young  people continuing to achieve well with us, even when faced with systemic changes and harder examinations.

“Enrolment into our sixth form has been very popular and it is great to be helping ambitious young people with a passion for the creative media arts and production technologies to develop industry relevant skills.”

Students at Yavneh College were delighted with what they found when they ripped open their results envelopes.

86 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades in subjects across the board, with 36 per cent of those being A* or A.

A strong majority of children passed core subjects, with 92 per cent passing English, and 83 per cent passing Maths.

Executive Headteacher, Mr Lewis said: “We are delighted with another set of excellent GCSE results which are a tribute to the hard work our pupils have put in.”

“This year’s cohort has sat a mixture of new and old GCSEs gaining a mix of A*-C and 9-1 grades and examinations are getting even harder than in previous years.

“What is certain is that Yavneh College pupils have worked extremely hard and have done exceptionally well. This together with our outstanding A Level results makes me very proud indeed.”

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School also celebrated some excellent results, with one fifth achieving 10 or more A* and 39 per cent of students getting nine As or more.

Students excelled in the sciences, as 91 per cent achieved A* in physics, a record 88 per cent getting A* in chemistry, and 85 per cent hitting A* in biology, but high grades were hit across a range of subjects.

Headmaster Peter Hamilton said: “Hard work, dedication and enjoyment of learning is clearly evident for both students and dedicated staff in these excellent results.

“We are particularly proud that we can offer exceptional choice.

“Boys have unrivalled opportunities to explore and excel, whatever their individual talents and interests.”