The Minster School celebrates GCSE results

Students achieving a grade 4 or better in both English and Maths was 84% , which is up from last year.

80% of pupils achieved at least five GCSE passes including English and Maths.

The average grade achieved by students was a 5+, and early indications show the school has scored well for targets for individual students,with many significantly exceeding expectations.

A spokesman for the school said: "This has been a challenging year for students and staff alike, with the introduction of new tougher GCSEs across a wide range of subjects, now awarded on a 1 to 9 scale, with a 4 the equivalent of the old C grade and a 7 the equivalent of an A.

"Despite the challenges , the learning community at The Minster School worked hard to prepare well for the exams, with students supported not only by their teachers but also by families outside school."

Alice Ofield, a student from Woodborough achieved a clean sweep of grade 9s, which is the new highest grade.

It has been estimated that only a few hundred students nationally will achieve this feat.

Matt Lock from Southwell was also thrilled with his results, as he achieved a mixture of grades eight and nine.

He said “I am really surprised by my results as I thought some of the papers were challenging. I am particularly thrilled with my science results. I think my success was down to months of revision. I was working really hard from February to be ready for my exams.”

Matt will be studying History, Geography, Maths and English Literature in the Minster sixth form.

Morgan Godden from Bilsthorpe and Hollie Ballantyne from Southwell both achieved a top set of all eight and nine grades.

They are both very happy with their success, and now have aspirations to aim for the very best universities after their A Level studies.

Morgan said “My results are so good I’m not even sure what to study at A Level. I thought it would be sciences but now it could be anything! I still aspire to attend Oxford or Cambridge in a

few years, whatever the subject!”

Mr Parris, Head Teacher said : “In terms of individual success it is important to recognise many students achieved very well against targets, which isn’t always necessarily the same as achieving the highest grades.

"As a comprehensive school we are very proud of each and every student who shows resilience and wisdom to achieve their goals.”