Delighted youngsters joined in a national success story as 16-year-olds across the country celebrated another record-breaking year of results.

Mortimer Wilson School was one of many centres celebrating its best ever GCSE results.

The school, which changes its name to Alfreton Grange Arts College this term, saw the number of pupils scoring the all-important five A*-C grades improve by nearly 40 per cent.

Compared with the Government target of 30 per cent for five A*-C grades, including English and maths, the school achieved a phenomenal 115 per cent improvement to a level of 43 per cent.

Proud headteacher Wendy Sharp said the excellent results were down to the hard work of students and staff.

"Mortimer Wilson has made significant strides forward this year, gaining specialist status in the arts, increasing standards at A-Level by almost 30 per cent and now achieving these outstanding results," she said.

"We have reaped the results of strong team work from everyone and wise investments in personnel and resources.

"We shall remember the lessons learned and endeavour to continue good practice and forge ahead to even greater heights.

"I hope the community of Alfreton and the surrounding villages will share in our success and be rightly proud of their secondary school."

Outstanding performances included Jodie Bokor, Eddie Cheetham and Chris Wood who racked up 27 A and A*s between them.

Other impressive hauls included Jodie Worsley and Cheryl Twigg who bagged 20 A and A*'s between them.

Elsewhere, Selston Arts and Community College improved the number of students gaining five A*-C grades by 16 per cent to 52 per cent.

The improvement coincides with the college recently becoming a specialist arts college after formerly being known as The Matthew Holland School.

Said a school spokesman: "Many schools at this time talk about it being a record year.

"But this year every one of the Government's key performance measures has improved to their highest ever level.

"Due to the hard work of the staff and students the points value of the best eight qualifications achieved by students has exceeded even the most challenging targets that could have been set by the college.

"This is set to put the college in the top 25 per cent of schools on the progress made by students in their five years at the college."

If you have left school this summer and not gained a place in college or in employment, contact TBG Learning Alfreton on 01773 521921 or drop into the centre on the High Street in Alfreton for advice.

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