Teenagers across the country collected their GCSE results and many schools in Wiltshire saw pupils exceed their targets and achieve top grades.
Exam papers are marked on a numbered scale where nine is the highest grade, one is the lowest and five is a strong pass.
The 2024 cohort had their education significantly disrupted by Covid lockdowns, where many students had to manage their own learning independently at home.
Despite challenges beyond their control, staff and pupils are celebrating outstanding results, including Kingsbury Green Academy, in Calne, which received their best results since 2019.
Principal of Kingsbury Green Academy, Jason Tudor said: “I am thrilled for the pupils as all their hard work, determination and focus has paid off. The support of their families has been invaluable over this period as has been the tireless guidance and encouragement from the KGA staff. They do everything humanly possible to ensure our pupils go on to fulfil their hopes and dreams.
FOR MORE COVERAGE READ OUR LIVE BLOG: GCSE 2024 results LIVE: Updates in Wiltshire
“The vast majority of pupils will continue their educational journey at KGA Sixth Form and I know the team look forward to welcoming those pupils back in September. For those pupils leaving us to pursue different pathways, including apprenticeships and college courses, we wish them all the best. They have been a credit to the school, their families and their community.”
Elsewhere, Sheldon School in Chippenham saw significant improvements across the board, with 75 per cent of students achieving a grade four, a standard pass, in both Maths and English and 56 per cent of pupils achieving a grade five.
The school is thrilled that a quarter of all students achieved a grade seven or higher and proud of its disadvantaged students who have made more progress in core subjects than last year.
Additionally, a third of students studying Biology, Chemistry, Dance, Food, Geography, Physics, Religious Studies, Spanish or French achieved grades a grade seven or above.
Students at St John’s in Marlborough have achieved the best set of GCSE results since before the pandemic with outcomes well above the national average.
Almost a third of the overall grades awarded were between 7 to 9.
A spokesperson said: "We are delighted with the GCSE results this year, and very proud of our wonderful Year 11 students. They have had to overcome so many challenges over the last five years, but through hard work, application and resilience, they have achieved some stunning results. We are looking forward to welcoming most of our Year 11 students back into Year 12 and wish all those who will continue their studies elsewhere, every success in the future."
The John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge received another fantastic set of exam results following a successful A-Level results day last week, with stand-out students including Ola Rasala, Lydia Rudland, Rhianna Morgan, Tom Fearon and Antonio Finol, who all attained results of nines, eights and Distinction stars.
Meanwhile, staff at Devizes School celebrated excellent exam results, with some of the highest achievers being Gracie Martch-Harry with six grade nines, Charlotte Hillman, Annabelle Darko and Reuben Goodridge.
Headteacher, David Cooper said: “Since meeting this cohort of young people for the first time in September of last year, they have not ceased to impress me with the pride they take in their work, and with the supportive ethos and sense of community that they have fostered.
“They have excelled on the stage, on the sports field and in all aspects of school life, and have now added an absolutely fantastic set of exam results to this list of achievements.
“I look forward to welcoming the majority of the year group back to continue their successes as part of our sixth form; for those who are departing to seek opportunities with employers and other training providers, I wish you well on behalf of the whole school community – you will be very much missed.”
Headteacher of Kingdown School in Warminster, Helen Carpenter, said it was a “huge team effort” from staff to support students so that they could achieve their full potential and remain resilient throughout their secondary school experience.
Some standout results were from Miles Cox, Adam Drury, Jay Colloby, Eleanor Thornton, Chloe Bywater, Callum McCulloch and Toby Caldwell.
Furthermore, staff at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon have congratulated their pupils after 75 per cent of pupils achieved at least a grade four in both English and Maths and there were also strong results in Business Studies, Dance, French, Art, Graphics, Food and Drama.
Headteacher of St Augustine's Catholic College, also in Trowbridge, Aidan Dowle, was extremely proud of the 2024 cohort.
He said: "These results are a reflection of the consistent effort and dedication of both our Year 11 students and their teachers. It is incredibly rewarding to see our students thrive and exceed expectations. Many of them will now return to pursue ‘A’ Levels with us, and we are thrilled by the significant increase in external applications for the coming year."
The Corsham School headteacher, Rod Bell, commended students for their ability to overcome their unconventional experience during the pandemic.
He said: “Our students have shown great resilience, determination, and self-motivation to overcome everything that has been thrown at them and they have justifiably been rewarded with amazing outcomes that have set them up well for their future further education and career aspirations.
“We pride ourselves on being a truly comprehensive school and it’s wonderful to see so many students of all abilities meet and surpass their own personal targets, sometimes in very challenging personal circumstances.
"In addition to their superb academic achievements, they have also made significant contributions to the wider life of the school and within our community and we must celebrate that also; we are proud of the young people they have become.”
Staff at Abbeyfield School say they "could not be prouder" of their students today after they have achieved fantastic results.
Head Nick Norgrove said: "These results reflect the hard work, dedication and resilience that each individual has shown. We congratulate them all. For those young people who are going on to study elsewhere we wish them every success for the future."
Headteacher of Malmesbury School, Brett Jouny said: “It is with great pride that we recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication of all our students collecting their GCSE results today.
"The students focus and determination has paid off with outstanding outcomes once again, over 80% of all grades were awarded a 4+ and a third of all grades were at the highest 9-7, this is truly remarkable."
Bradon Forest School headteacher, Sarah Haines described the “wonderful” atmosphere on results day when many nervous students realised their hard work had paid off and she highlighted eight students as particularly high achievers - Ethan B-W, Romi B, Lydia B, Maddison B, Alex D, Alfie F, Thea K, Drew M, Emily N and Jenny T.
Ms Haines said: “It was wonderful to see so many smiling and happy faces opening their GCSE results this morning as students realised that their efforts have paid off. I am really proud of the commitment and resilience that they have shown to their education and achieving the results needed for their next steps.
“A huge thanks should go to our dedicated teachers, pastoral and support staff for helping our students navigate the GCSE pathway and ensuring that guidance and support were aways available in the run up to the exams.”
Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) student, Aiden Berry, from Pewsey, Wiltshire, has also successfully completed his two-year programme.
Aiden, who was diagnosed with the eye conditions Retinitis Pigmentosa and Rod-Cone Dystrophy, faced challenges in mainstream education, but his confidence and independence flourished at RNC.
He plans to pursue an apprenticeship in IT Support, assisting individuals with technical challenges and providing solutions.
Aiden said: "I spent two years at RNC and it’s helped me become more independent as a young adult. I first arrived being scared of the oven and not being able to cook well, and now I leave RNC being able to use the oven confidently.
"I’ve also got good grades which is a big stepping stone for me as I had a hard time at secondary school."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here