STUDENTS at Marlwood School are celebrating after a record-breaking set of GCSE results this year.

Seventy-two per cent of students achieved five A* to C grades including English and maths, a huge 15 per cent increase on last year.

Meghana Karnati, 16, obtained an impressive nine A* grades and will now move on to Colston Girl’s School and hopes to go on to study maths or physics at university.

She said: “I was very surprised; I didn’t think I’d manage to get the grades I did so I’m very happy.”

Maedene Webb will join Meghana at Colston Girl’s School after receiving three A* and seven A grades.

She said: “I’m really happy with my grades, I want to go on and do my A-levels but I don’t really know what I want to do at university afterwards, maybe veterinary science.”

Harry Law, 16, achieved eight A* grades and two A grades in his results and will stay on at Marlwood to do his A-levels.

He said: “I did quite well, I want to stay on here for sixth form but I have no idea what I want to do at university after that.”

James Pope, headteacher designate, said: “This set of results is a testament to the focused effort of our students combined with excellent support from staff and parents; everyone involved should be very proud."

The new headteacher, who will start in September, added: “We want to carry on building our expectations at Marlwood from this solid base and push on to hopefully do even better next year.”

Melanie Warnes, interim headteacher, added: “The results are especially pleasing in a year with much development and change and is evidence of our continuing commitment to achieving excellence.

“This is an incredible outcome and a testament to how far Marlwood has come and continues to go.

“I look forward to seeing Marlwood go from strength to strength. We’ve not seen the best of Marlwood yet.”