Video: wait is over for GCSE students

The results come after changes which place more weight on final exams rather than coursework modules and mean students no longer take GCSEs at the end of Year 10.

But, despite the shift, schools seem to have held up quite well across the board.

Warsop’s Meden School announced 59 per cent of students secured A*-C including English and maths.

Headteacher Janet Brashaw said she was pleased the school had maintained the same standard as last year.

said Ms Brashaw: “The big change is in English because a component of the coursework has been removed so a high percentage is now exam-based.

“But I am delighted for the students and staff who have worked so hard to prepare for these exams and I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents, carers and the wider community for their continued support.

“It is all about high expectations from staff, getting students to believe in themselves and offering them every opportunity.”

Conor Marples (16) achieved eight As, two A*s and two Bs. He said: “I am feeling quite happy. It was a lot of hard revising and I just tried to keep thinking about the end result.

“It was important not to get to stressed either and to eat lots of sweets and drink lots of coffee.”

Conor plans to study maths, history, biology and business at ‘A’ level and would like to work in finance.

Anna Downs (16), attained six As, one B, two Cs and a distinction *.

“I am shocked and relieved,” she said. “I have been feeling sick since we stopped doing exams. It was a lot of work and I was staying behind for extra maths.”

Anna hopes to study biology, chemistry, maths and IT.

Elsewhere in the district, 61 per cent of pupils at Shirebrook Academy achieved five A* to C grades.

Principal Julie Bloor said: “Sixty-one per cent is great and we are really proud of everyone who took exams this year.

“It is a slight dip on last year’s results but this seems to be the case with many schools, and it is not taking anything away from the students and staff - who all worked incredibly hard for their grades.

“The exams were made harder, and the way they were marked has changed from previous years. But 61 per cent is a great figure and we are incredibly proud.”

Mansfield’s Samworth Church Academy reported that the number of students gaining five or more high grade passes including English and maths had risen again.

Principal Michael Griffiths said: “This has been another exciting day following our successful ‘A’ Level results last week.

“The improvement in our GCSE results has been maintained which is very pleasing. We are now confident that we can look forward to rising results in the years ahead.

“The Academy has a real belief in what its people can achieve, these results are a real tribute to the hard work of students and the support they have had from our hardworking staff and committed parents.”

West Notts College reported 100 per cent pass rates in English and science and a 98 per cent pass rate in maths.

Deputy principal Patricia Harman said: “We have seen a significant increase in the number of students aged 16-18 re-taking GCSEs this year due to the government’s reforms, which require those that do not achieve A*-C in English and maths to continue studying these subjects.

“Whatever each student’s individual circumstances are, gaining a good GCSE represents a major achievement and serves as a vital stepping stone to higher-level qualifications or an exciting new career.”