GCSE results were a family affair at The Castle School in Thornbury as twins achieved 16 A* and A grades between them.


Students at the school, in Park Road, celebrated another excellent year of results this morning, with over 80 percent of students achieving at least five A* - C grades.


Of these results, 71 percent included English and maths results.


Sixteen-year-old twins Annie and Emma Beurchsgen both celebrated their achievements of 16 A* or A grades.


Annie said the pair was pleased they could share their good results.


“We didn’t revise together or anything, but we both have nearly the same results. It’s good that we both did well – I’m mainly proud of my maths grade.”


Helen Sun, 16, was one of 29 students to achieve at least 10 A* or A grades.


She is the school’s highest performer with A* results for all of her 11 GCSEs.


“It’s amazing, I was really nervous before I opened them,” she said. “I’m going to celebrate with my family tonight. I have plans to go to Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham now.”


Headteacher Peter Smart said, 'We are celebrating another great year of GCSE results. The students have worked exceptionally hard and I am proud of their achievements at every level.


“In total, 28 percent 28 percent of all grades received were either A* or A. Another notable feature was that 44 percent of students obtained the full English

Baccalaureate, obtaining A*- C grades in all of the Baccalaureate subjects – a result which is 20 percent above the 2014 average for schools in England.


“The results also reflect the commitment of parents, staff and governors, who work together to make sure that The Castle School continues as a successful and exciting place to learn.


“I am thrilled with the results – the atmosphere today has been great.”


Head of Yr 11, Jodie Palmer said she was immensely proud of the students’ results.


Mrs Palmer said: “There have been lots of amazing personal successes. We had student trying to get in earlier than planned, and they’ve all been in really high spirits.


“I’m so happy for them – we had one student literally burst into tears as she read her results with happiness and relief.”