STUDENTS at The King Alfred School are celebrating after picking up their GCSE results.

Pupils packed into the school in Highbridge at 8.30am on Thursday (August 23) and ripped open their envelopes to find out their results.

Staff and students celebrated their success after it was revealed 38 per cent of students achieved a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, an eight per cent increase on last year.

53 per cent of students achieved five GCSE grades from 4-9 including English and Maths and 59 per cent of pupils achieved a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths, a two per cent increase on last year.

 The results also showed that nearly one in five of the grades achieved by the students at the school were grades 7 - 9 and 66 per cent of pupils achieved grades 4 - 9. 

Outgoing headteacher Denise Hurr, said: "We are very proud of the results achieved by our students. 

“They have worked incredibly hard and been supported and challenged by their families and the school to make themselves proud.” 

A number of students went home with smiles on their faces and secured sixth form and college places after receiving their results.

One of the happy students was Sophie Everett who achieved the grades to study Sport Science.

Sophie scored a 6 in English Language, 5's in Maths, PE, French, English Language and Combined Sciences and a 4 in History.

Sophie said: "I am really pleased that I passed everything.

"It means I can go to college to study Sport Science which is a passion of mine."

Bailey Warren and Harry Chave were also celebrating after getting their results.

Bailey achieved 5's in English Language, Maths, English Literature and Combined Sciences as well as an A in ICT.

He is going to Weston College in September to study ICT.

He said: "I did better than I thought I was going to do. I am really pleased with my results.

"I am looking forward to going to college to study ICT as it has been a passion of mine for a long time."

Harry Chave also secured the grades to go to The King Alfred School's sixth form in September to study Psychology, Sociology and English Literature.

He achieved a 7 in Religious Studies and Combined Sciences, a 6 in Geography and English Language, a 5 in English Literature, a 4 in Maths and an A in ICT.

He said: "I am really happy with my results.

"I am hoping to go to university in the future to maybe do a teaching course so getting into sixth form is a great step.

"I really enjoyed studying Religious Studies this year and look forward to studying here next year."

Students who did particularly well include:

- Kirsty Atwell – nine Grade 9s and 2 A* grades

- Eleanor Bartlett – six 9's, two 8's and one 7

- Heidi Reynolds – five 9's, two8's, two 7's, 1 A and 1 A

- Jack Murphy – four 9's, 4 8's, 2 A's and a double distinction *

- Charles Valentine – two 9's, four 8's, one 7, one 5, 1 A and 1 B

- Joseph Strong – three 8's, two 7's, one 6, two 5's, 1 A* and 1B.

Nathan Jenkins, principal at The King Alfred School, said: ‘I'm thrilled to see that so many students have achieved fantastic results this year. It really is a measure of just how hard both the students and staff at the school have worked.

“The King Alfred School is one that is making rapid progress and I am excited and privileged to be able to continue this work in the coming year.”