Nailsea School is celebrating ‘phenomenal’ results despite a huge change to GCSE grades this year.

North Somerset Times: Luis Palmham with Will and Henry Symonds with their GCSE results.Luis Palmham with Will and Henry Symonds with their GCSE results. (Image: Archant)

A new grading system has been introduced for English and maths with pupils received a grade from 1-9.

A score of 4 is considered a pass and the higher the number, the better the achievement.

Seventy-four per cent of students were awarded a 4-9 in English and maths – a 25 per cent increase in just four years.

Fifty-two per cent of pupils scored 5 or above in English and maths and 65 per cent of pupils were awarded A*-C grades – or 4-9 in English and maths.

North Somerset Times: Juliet Labrum, Chloe Harris, Ellen Broderick, Laura Stephen and Nina Davies opening their results at Nailsea School.Juliet Labrum, Chloe Harris, Ellen Broderick, Laura Stephen and Nina Davies opening their results at Nailsea School. (Image: Archant)

Nineteen per cent of students scored 7-9 in English, maths and science and 10 per cent achieved an 8-9 grade A or higher.

Headteacher Dee Elliott said: “This year has been one of huge change with a new examination system deliberately designed to be tougher.

“The fact that our school has had a fourth successive yearly increase in the core subject measure with a 10 per cent improvement on 2016 is phenomenal.

“Breaking into the 70 per cents is a significant milestone for Nailsea School to have achieved.

North Somerset Times: Nailsea students Ben Tooth, Kayleigh Hewetson and Chloe Harris openining their GCSE results together.Nailsea students Ben Tooth, Kayleigh Hewetson and Chloe Harris openining their GCSE results together. (Image: Archant)

“Today is a day for the students themselves who are rightly celebrating achievements at all levels.

“We work hard at Nailsea to raise the aspirations and self belief of all of our students so that they feel they can push themselves to do better than they think is possible. Today has demonstrated that this is the case.

“I am thrilled that the hard work of staff and students and the support of parents has culminated in these results today.

“I wish all students the best of luck in whatever the next stage of their education, employment or training is.

North Somerset Times: Dan Seager and Charlie Clode at Nailsea School.Dan Seager and Charlie Clode at Nailsea School. (Image: Archant)

“It will be great to see over 100 of the students returning to year 12 at Nailsea in September.”

Mrs Elliott took over as headteacher from Chris Wade in July last year.

Under her leadership, the school also achieved improved A-level results this year. Speaking about the exam successes, she said: “It’s phenomenal. It’s down to all the hard work of staff and students.”

Chair of governors, Julie Cazer, said: “I’m thrilled to see the ongoing and sustained increase in results at Nailsea School for both A-levels and GCSEs. “The governors are especially happy as it reflects all the hard work of students and staff under the new headship of Mrs Elliott, even in all the recent education changes.”

North Somerset Times: Emily Furneaux, Hannah Thomas and Abigail James picking up their results from Nailsea School.Emily Furneaux, Hannah Thomas and Abigail James picking up their results from Nailsea School. (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Izzy Haines, Ella Bateman, Ellodie Hook and Chloe Lawrence.Izzy Haines, Ella Bateman, Ellodie Hook and Chloe Lawrence. (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Thomas Flaherty, Alberto Rivera, Jake John and Travis Bird picking up their results at Nailsea School.Thomas Flaherty, Alberto Rivera, Jake John and Travis Bird picking up their results at Nailsea School. (Image: Archant)