Backwell School is celebrating another year of ‘fantastic’ GCSE results.

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

Under the new system, 83 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, while 79 per cent of students received five grade 9-4 grades.

Seventeen pupils achieved five or more grade 9s which is higher than the previous A* and is only awarded to approximately three per cent of entries.

Josie Newland and Lucia Clark achieved nine grade 9s in their GCSE results as well as an A* and an A^ respectively on their further maths exams, which is still graded using the old system.

Josie said: “I worked as hard as I could and would advise others not to take your educational opportunities for granted. Hard work does pay off.”

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

Dominic Jarvis and Jemma Jeffrey achieved seven grades 9s and A*s in their further maths GCSEs.

Headteacher Jon Nunes said “I am incredibly proud of our year 11 and their hard work and dedication has certainly been rewarded.

“They have all made fantastic progress over their five years with us, great examples being Alex St John-Crees and Joshua Howells with Thomas Lewis achieving the highest progress in the year group.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work and skill of the teachers who have supported our students.”

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

The school stressed changes to the GCSE examinations have presented challenges for staff and students teaching and learning new material without past papers and previous experience on the new specifications.

GCSE exams now contain more difficult content and are mostly marked on final exams, after two years of study, rather than coursework.

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results.Students from Backwell School picking up their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)