DESPITE good individual results, Yate International Academy has seen a huge drop in the number of students achieving more than five GCSEs above a C.

The academy’s results were down 18 per cent, from 2013’s record year of 58 per cent, with only 40 per cent of students gaining A* to C grades in five subjects including English and maths. That is below the South Gloucestershire average of 55 per cent this year.

Principal Roger Gilbert told the Gazette he was disappointed.

“In terms of percentage, the range of top grades is an improvement on last year and that has improved two years in a row but overall our results have dipped considerably from last year, he said.

"Personally and professionally, that is a bitter disappointment.”

He added: “A large number of students individually have done particularly well and I am very pleased for them because they deserve it.”

Shaun Mitchell, 16, was the academy’s top performer with 8 A*s and two As, followed by Ellie Wallis with two A*s, seven As, a B and a C and Hollie Bidwell with three A*s, two As, five Bs and a C.

Twins Joe and Megan Wood, 16, followed in their sister Ellie’s footsteps after she became the academy’s first ever student to win a place at Cambridge University with her A-level results last week.

Joe, who has a place on a sports course at Ashton Gate secured, gained one A*, two As, four Bs, one C and a D. Megan, who will study four A-level at Winterbourne sixth form next year, added two A*s, two As and two Bs to the English GCSEs she took last year.

“There was a bit more pressure because of my sister doing so well,” said Megan. “Our parents said not to worry too much but the family is really pleased.”