Weeks of waiting came to an end as students across the county collected their GCSE results last Thursday.

St Columba's College in St Albans had a good year with their GCSE results.

In total, 40 per cent of grades were marked either as an A* or A.

At least 73 per cent of pupils achieved at least one grade in that bracket.

Head teacher David Buxton said: "The governors and staff would like to congratulate the students on the quality of their results, and wish the students success as they move onto study for their A-levels.

"The results are a testimony to their talent and hard work. The headmaster would also like to thank the staff whose dedication and expertise were justly rewarded."

St Albans School has reported 95 per cent of GCSEs taken there were marked in the A* to B grade bracket, with 46 per cent getting a A*.

Head teacher Jonathan Gillespie said: "Congratulations to our pupils on their individual successes this year.

"The results are in line with our expectations of this year group, and I am looking forward to welcoming our successful candidates into the Sixth Form together with the large number of new pupils joining the School next week.

"Their strong results will provide firm foundations for their progress to A level and beyond."

Beaumont School in St Albans said they have received "excellent GCSE results".

Head teacher Elizabeth Hitch said: "This year group has been a real asset. They have fully embodied the school’s ethos and I wish them all the best in their future studies in and beyond Beaumont."

Students at the Marlborough Science Academy celebrated a set of personal and record breaking results for the school.

With GCSE results nationally being reported as being in sharp decline, we are very proud of our students who have performed well across the board; particularly in maths.

Head teacher Annie Thomson said: "Year 11 is a tough year and the governors and staff at Marlborough want to acknowledge all students for the resilience, determination and sheer effort needed to ensure successful outcomes.

"As their cheers resound throughout the school, we wish them every success on the next part of their journey, with the majority returning to continue with their studies or heading off to college or apprenticeships.

"Well done, you have all worked so hard."

Roundwood Park School, in Harpenden, had another successful year. The provisional figure of students getting the headline figure of 5 A*-C grades including English and mathematics.

Alan Henshall, head teacher, said: "Clearly this is great news for all the students who are going into our Sixth Form or leaving us to go on to college.

"We would like to say well done to our students, to our dedicated and professional staff and to our parents for supporting their sons and daughters through the last five years.

"We now wish everyone further success as they embark on the next challenge in their lives."

Claudia Brown got 10 A* grades, Susannah Hardstaff got 9 A* grades and 2 A grades and Taran Jina got 11 A* grades.

Sir John Lawes School head of Year 11 Christine Robinson said: "We are very proud of our all young people and the results they have achieved this year. They have worked very hard and been very supportive of each other as a group – they deserve every success."

The school in Harpenden said there were "smiles all round" as pupils celebrate their GCSE results.

At St Albans Girls School many students were shocked at their results.

Lily Halshaw said: "Have I read this right, I don’t believe it, 7A* and an A grade – I am so happy."

Natasha Robin said: "I can’t believe that all the hard work paid off; I am so excited that I can now be confident about starting the sixth form."

Aimee Smith said this has been a really hard few years but she was so pleased.

Margaret Chapman, head teacher, said: "We are so proud of the outstanding achievements of all of our students today.

"Their hard work and dedication has definitely been rewarded and ensures an excellent foundation for their future learning pathways.

"These results are only possible because of the unfailing encouragement of parents and staff and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have supported our girls so admirably in achieving their superb goals."

A number of schools in St Albans and Harpenden will not release their pass rate results until verification is completed in December.


This follows a protocol between the schools which they say is to avoid competing with each other.