GCSE pupils in North Somerset have maintained a strong track record of year-on-year improvement for the district.

The results were handed out to teenagers on Thursday amidst national news coverage of harsher marking systems and lower grades than in past years.

However, in North Somerset, the percentage of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths, has risen to 58.6 per cent. This was more than 1 per cent above last year’s record-breaking figure.

Overall, results in English did dip slightly, in line with a national trend, but they still remain above the national average.

The percentage of pupils achieving an A*-C in maths increased to 69 per cent in North Somerset and, similarly, the percentage achieving two science GCSEs increased by five per cent.

* A break-down of A-level and GCSE results for each pupil can be found in this week’s edition of the Times.

* For full reports and photos from each school click on the links at the top right of this story.