STUDENTS from Malvern schools have been celebrating their GCSE successes, won in the face of exams that this year have been reformed and made more rigorous.

At the Chase, 16 per cent of all subject entries secured the top eight and nine grades with a third awarded seven or above.

Head Mike Fieldhouse said: ‘We are so proud and thrilled with all of our students' performance this year. These new qualifications are tough with considerably more content to study and no coursework to bank before the final examinations. Two years’ worth of work comes down to the students’ examination performance."

At Hanley Castle, 86 per cent of students in English and English literature achieved grade four or higher. 73 per cent of students gained good passes in English and mathematics, while 42 per cent of students achieved the English Baccalaureate – grade four or higher in English, mathematics, the sciences, a humanities subject and a foreign language.

Head Lindsey Cooke said: "These results demonstrate that, however hard the government makes the qualifications, our students rise to the challenge. Their achievements in English, the sciences and a whole range of subjects show great character."

At Dyson Perrins 65 per cent of students achieved grade four or better in English and 61 per cent achieved this figure in maths.

Acting head Peter Wallace said: "Behind every set of examination results there is a personal story of hard work, commitment and perseverance. We are absolutely delighted that the hard work of the students has been rewarded with these marvellous results.”

At Malvern College, over 30 pupils achieved the equivalent of six or more A*s. Head Antony Clark said the pupils and their teachers have worked with purpose and passion towards successful outcomes and they fully deserved their rewards.

At Malvern St James, girls achieved a 100 per cent pass rate. In terms of all the I/GCSEs entries graded nine to seven, this was an 61.1 per cent compared to 20.5 per cent across the UK.

Head Olivera Raraty said: “I am extremely proud of all the girls who have all worked so hard to achieve these fantastic results with many individual personal successes, as not all students find examinations easy. With the new reforms, the GCSEs are now very much harder so I am absolutely delighted."

*In last week's Malvern Gazette, the A level results for Malvern St James should have read: “With 100 per cent pass rate (A*-E), most girls at Malvern St James will go to their first- choice university. 47 per cent achieved at least three A or A* grades, 26.7 per cent of entries got A*s, 57 per cent A*or A, 80 per cent A*- B, and 92.4 per cent A*- C."