DESPITE a challenging year John Bentley School’s percentage of pupils with five A* to C grades rose this year.

The school reported an improved percentage compared to 2014 with Maths in particular performing strongly despite the change in grade boundaries.

Mia Brady picked up six A*s, three As and a B from the Calne school on Thursday morning while Joe Packer picked up four A* and five A grades and Charlotte Davies collected four A*s, four As and a B.

Acting Principal, Melanie Sutton, said: “It makes us very proud to see so many students achieve the grades they have worked hard to secure. Thanks also go to our dedicated staff and brilliant parents who have been a crucial part of this success.

“We look forward to the majority of our Year 11s joining us in our Sixth Form and wish those off to begin college courses and apprenticeships every success for the future.”

Springfields Academy, a school for children with complex learning, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, have also come out the other side of a testing year with a hugely improved set of results.

Four pupils (21%) achieved five or more A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent qualifications, with three including English and Maths.

The 19 final year students gained a total of 161 qualifications, including GCSEs, Functional Skills, Entry Levels and NVQs, the academy’s highest number to date.

Principal Jon Hamp said: “Being our older pupils this group was potentially the one most affected by the academy’s difficulties since October 2013, it is of great note and testimony to the quality of staffing across the whole academy that these young people were so ably guided, supported and taught to enable them to succeed and progress.

“This is clear evidence that Springfields Academy can and will continue to provide outstanding provision, in line with our vision of building successful, independent lives for young people aged 7-16 with Special Educational Needs."

Lastly, independent girls school St Mary’s saw every single year 11 student pick up at least five A* to C grades including Maths and English.

An amazing 25 girls achieved A* or A grades across all of their subjects, including Yasmin Watling (11A*) from Lacock, Eliza Perry (11A* A) from Pewsey and Eve Webster (10A* A) from Swindon.

Also at St Mary's, music scholars and twins, Jess and Sassie Patel, achieved a fantastic 22 A* and A grades between them. The former National Children's Orchestra of GB performers, who both have grade eight oboe, achieved the joint highest A* marks in the school in music.

Headmistress, Dr Felicia Kirk, said: “I am overjoyed for all the girls; they have worked incredibly hard and deserve these outstanding GCSE results.

“This success is testament to the dedication of all of the teachers here, who encourage and inspire the girls to do their best and of course to the girls themselves, who motivate and support one another so well.”