RELIEF has come today for many of the students at Marlwood School in Alveston as they celebrate collecting their GCSE results.

With a later handout than most schools, at 10am, there were plenty of anxious people, parents included, waiting for the go-ahead to find out how they had done.

Overall, the school has shown an impressive improvement from last year’s results, with a 10 per cent rise in students achieving five GCSEs between A* and C grades - as well as many high achievers who will continue onto study A-levels next year.

Around half of the pupils are expected to stay on to the school’s sixth form next year, with many more moving onto academic institutions elsewhere, including sixth forms and colleges.

Among the school’s high performers was Jess Chalkly who achieved an incredible 10 A* grades, and will be dividing her time between Marlwood and Castle School next year to complete her A-levels in Biology, Maths, Psychology and Geography.

She said: “I am quite surprised, the effort definitely went in to get the results I wanted but there is always the doubt after you walk out of an exam that you haven’t done well enough. I am really surprised and pleased with my chemistry and physics marks as I worried they hadn’t gone well.”

Another pupil who came away with an impressive set of results was Calvin Preston who got seven A*s and four As.

He said: “I am so relieved, I was hoping I had done well as it was what I had been predicted, but I am really pleased.”

But not everyone who does brilliantly expects it, as Sophie Chinnock found out, who despite an amazing five A*s and four As, clearly felt the pressure before even opening the envelope after bursting into tears.

Celebrating with her friend Gemma Newbold, who also scored highly with seven A*s and two As, the pair are set to also divide their time between Marlwood and Castle School for their A-levels.

“Oh my gosh! I was so nervous when I went to open my results. I wasn’t nervous until I got there and suddenly I couldn’t hold it in,” said Sophie.

“I worked so hard, and I am so happy it all paid off!”

Gemma, who also admitted to feeling the pressure during exam season, said: “I am so very pleased, I thought English would be my worst but I clearly surprised myself.

“I also cannot believe I got an A* in textiles – I came out of that exam crying!”

“We are delighted with the individual performances of a large number of our students,” said headteacher James Pope.

“Their results are a reflection of the hard work they have devoted to their study, and the support and dedication of the staff.

“We would like to extend our congratulations to them all and their families who have supported them. Well done!”

He added: “I am especially pleased that the headline figures show a significant increase from last year’s results. Outcomes for students are improving and we are confident that they will continue to do so thanks to the focus staff have on delivering an excellent education.”