STUDENTS and staff are celebrating excellent GCSE results at Marlwood School in Alveston despite ‘lower than expected’ results in English.

The school, in Vattingstone Lane, was host to crowds of nervous and excited teenagers this morning as they received their GCSE results.

16-year-old Ben Baldwin achieved the highest grade throughout the school with 7 A*s and 3As.

He said: “I feel brilliant right now. My results were so much better than I expected them to be – especially my A* in biology.”

Fellow student Gemma Roffey, 16, is also one of the school’s highest achievers, boasting 4 A*s and 5As.

“I’m quite relieved the waiting is over,” she said. “It’s been on my mind all summer and now I have the results, I’m excited to start sixth form here. Quite a few of us are going out to celebrate tonight.”

Alive Dawkins, 16, was also thrilled with her results.

“I got an A* in physics which I wasn’t expecting at all, and then six A results,” she said. “I feel great about them, it’s been a really good morning.”

Headteacher James Pope said outcomes for students at the school were improving and he was confident they will continue to do so.

“We are pleased with the progress made in many subject areas but in particular the excellent performance of students in maths,” he said.

“However, we are disappointed that the overall picture is skewed by lower than expected results in English for some students which do not reflect the predictions or the prior performance of this subject area.

“Therefore, some of our students have not achieved the English grade their hard work and ability deserve.

“In regards to English results we will be analysing our data carefully, monitoring the national picture and we will be raising concerns, as appropriate, with the exam board.

“We are delighted with the individual performance of a large number of our students. Their results are a reflection of the hard work they have devoted to their study and the support and dedication of Marlwood School staff.

“The outcomes are very positive for the future education and careers of the students. We would like to extend our congratulations to them all and the families who have supported them.”

Deputy headteacher, Charles Reed, said: “As always, we are really proud of all the pupils with their results which show their hard work. It’s been a great day with a lot of celebrations going on.”