GCSE results in Wiltshire returned to pre-pandemic levels - but school leaders have pointed out the education of the class of 2023 has been anything but normal.

This year's top grades revealed on Thursday are in line with those from 2019 - the year before Covid-19 saw exams cancelled for two successive summers.

One principal points out that the return to normal grading may have been ‘premature’ as pupils across the county celebrated their results.

"We are extremely proud of our students' commitment to learning and their perseverance during the challenging times they have faced, which seems to have been forgotten in the premature return to the 2019 standard,” said head of Stonar School Matthew Way.

“With higher grade boundaries and harder marking affecting results nationally, our pupils should be all the more delighted with the results they've achieved.

Wiltshire Times:

Wiltshire Times: Staff and pupils have been celebrating at Lavington School.Staff and pupils have been celebrating at Lavington School. (Image: Lavington School)

Wiltshire Times: Christy Watson, Daisy Fry and Molly O’Dowd from St John's are very happy.Christy Watson, Daisy Fry and Molly O’Dowd from St John's are very happy. (Image: St John's School)

This year's cohort were only in Year 8 when the 2020 Covid pandemic swept across the globe, forcing pupils to learn remotely from home.

They were the first to sit GCSE conditions more in line with those that existed pre-pandemic, despite missing school during lockdown.

“Following the reintroduction of post pandemic grade boundaries, we have known that this year was going to be a challenge for the class of 2023, however they have responded superbly to the challenges posed,” said Dr Simon Riding, headteacher of Matravers School in Westbury.

One student who has faced more challenges than most is Oryna Nyzovets from Kingdown School in Warminster.

Wiltshire Times: Oryna Nyzovets pictured with headteacher Helen Carpenter.Oryna Nyzovets pictured with headteacher Helen Carpenter. (Image: Kingdown School)

Not only did Oryna experience a pandemic education like her peers, but she also only joined the school in Year 10 after fleeing her war torn town in Ukraine.

On Thursday, she opened her results to find she earned four grade 9s, a distinction and one grade 8 - including English, which is her second language.

“She has been such an asset to our school and is such a star to overcome such hardship to succeed - she's an inspiration!” said headteacher Helen Carpenter.

Wiltshire Times: These two friends from Bradon Forest School have been celebrating today.These two friends from Bradon Forest School have been celebrating today. (Image: Bradon Forest School)

Wiltshire Times: It's smiles all round for these Bradon Forest boys.It's smiles all round for these Bradon Forest boys. (Image: Bradon Forest School)

Wiltshire Times: Family and friends gathered around at Malmesbury School this morning.Family and friends gathered around at Malmesbury School this morning. (Image: Malmesbury School)

Also proving that hard work pays off was Nina Afdzal from Abbeyfield School in Chippenham.

Nina is one of the top students in the country, having received a whopping 11 grade 9s.

Headteacher of Abbeyfield School Nick Norgrove said: “We are immensely proud of all of our students for the manner in which they undertook their GCSE studies after what has been a challenging few years.”

Despite those success stories, there will be several students across Wiltshire who did not get the results they wanted.

“If your grades are lower than expected, you can also appeal them by contacting your school or exam board," said Dr Nick Smith, founder of The Oxford Open Learning Trust.

“Another option is looking at potential apprenticeships, work experiences or even a gap year."