Year 11 students at Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton are celebrating today after receiving a set of excellent GCSE results.

Since 2018, a new grading system has been in place, with 9-1 replacing the old A*-G. Under the new system a grade 7 equates to an A and 4 reads across to a C. The new grade 9 was designed to reward the very brightest and best students across the country.

Individual successes at Samuel Whitbread Academy, which is part of the Bedfordshire School Trust, included Jack Barker, Maria Kenworthy and Louis Burgess, who all achieved straight grade 9s across the board.

Annabel Priano, head of Year 11, said she was incredibly proud of Sarah Murphy, Molly Ellen Purcell and Esme Frankland for showing determination and resilience to achieve fantastic grades.

Pastoral support officer Jo Abbott, meanwhile, was delighted to see Rosie Lynn-Mulholland, Mia Brewer-Allen and Daniel Beard gain some great results after overcoming many different challenges this year.

Samuel Whitbread Academy principal Nick Martin said: “After 18 months of constant change and uncertainty, I couldn’t be any prouder of our students today.

“Despite their exams being cancelled in January and not being able to see their friends and teachers during three national lockdowns, as well missing their prom and final day celebrations, they have demonstrated enormous determination and resilience and achieved a great set of results.

“I wish them luck on the next step of their journey, whether with us in our sixth form or at college or in an apprenticeship.”

Hitchin Girls’ School welcomed Year 11 students back this morning to receive their results and celebrate their great achievements at GCSE.

Frances Manning, headteacher at Hitchin Girls’, said: Today marks the end of a very unsettled and difficult period for Year 11 students.

"It was lovely to be able to welcome them into school today and see their delight on receiving their grades. They have met the challenge of the past two years well and their resilience and hard work has been rewarded with great GCSE outcomes.

"There has been a lot of uncertainty around the awarding of grades this year which has been difficult for this cohort of students and their teachers. The staff team here at Hitchin Girls’ School have worked very hard to ensure that their grades were a true reflection of their ability and hard work and are very pleased that they will now be able to move into the next phase of their education.

"We wish them all the very best in their studies next year and look forward to welcoming many of them back into our Sixth Form."

Students at North Hertfordshire College are celebrating another year of strong GCSE results. 

This year, 893 NHC students sat their maths and English GCSE exam. Most of these students studied maths and English alongside their chosen vocational courses to help equip them with the skills that employers require.

North Hertfordshire College’s principal Kit Davies said: “We have had another exceptional year and I cannot be prouder of our students who have seen success on today’s results day. 

"Our students have shown resilience and determination against another year of disrupted study. Staff have worked diligently to encourage and support our students to achieve their highest potential. We are delighted with our student success this year.”

Many of the students will now have the foundation they need to progress their studies or embark on an apprenticeship or university or into a rewarding career. 

Among those collecting their GCSE results today were Millie Godfrey who achieved a grade 4 in maths. She said: “It’s been a real journey, I have put so much effort into this grade. 

"I just can’t believe I have done it; it means so much to me. This qualification now opens so many doors to my future. I’m looking forward to continuing studying next year and eventually working in the care sector.” 

Millie will now progress on to year 2 study on the Level 3 Health & Social Care course at NHC.

Adult learner Sarah Bacon who attended classes alongside her daughter Jade achieved a grade 5 English, she said: “The last time I sat GCSEs was in 1995 and today I achieved a grade 5! I am beaming with delight at what I have achieved.

"I have enjoyed my English classes and would highly recommend taking the leap back into college study life. I could not have achieved this without the hard work and support given by my excellent English teacher Callum.”

Her daughter Jade Bacon, who achieved a grade 4 in English, said: “My experience with this course has turned out to be much more successful and enjoyable than I could have imagined. 

"I had done my GCSEs multiple times before and never achieved what I was hoping for. I didn’t think this time would be any different.

"Now receiving my grades, I am ecstatic with my results and am so glad I chose North Hertfordshire College for this journey!”

Kerrie Childs achieved a grade 5 in maths and grade 6 in English, said: “When I first started my English course at NHC, I was very nervous, but once I began the course, I started to feel at home, the teacher was amazing and very supportive even with the hurdles of lockdown. 

"The course was really enjoyable, and I loved every minute of it.

"Opening my grades was very scary, but after seeing them, I feel so proud of myself and what I have achieved and now I will be taking the next step to start my teacher training.”

Rebecca Rutherford, head of maths and English at NHC said: “Many congratulations to our NHC students collecting their GCSE results today. 

"I am proud of the incredible resilience and hard work they have shown throughout this year to achieve these results. 

"It’s thanks to their hard work, and that of our talented tutors, that so many have achieved the grades they needed to progress onto their chosen next steps.”

Stevenage's John Henry Newman has taken to celebrating the "wonderful achievements" of their GCSE students through "what has been a very difficult time."

A spokesperson from JHN said: "The resilience and grit they have shown has been remarkable and led to some fantastic results. There were many outstanding individual achievements which we will celebrate at our annual awards evening.

"We would like to thank the parents for their continued support and staff, who really do go above and beyond, for all their hard work. We, of course, wish the students all the very best with their future plans."

Year 11s at Letchworth's Highfield School have achieved an outstanding set of GCSE results.

Headteacher Lucy Miles said: “Our Year 11s have, under challenging circumstances, worked so hard to achieve their results and we are proud of each and every one of them.

"We look forward welcoming many back to our Sixth Form in September and wish all of our students the best with the next stage of their education.” 

While all Highfield students are congratulated, a number of students at the school have achieved a number of the highest grades including:

Connor McMullen: eight 9s and two 8s

Jamie Dickens: two 9s, seven 8s and a 7

Emma Lloyd: six 9s, three 8s and a 7

Bryony Gibbon: seven 9s, three 8s and a 7

Constance Kirk-Spriggs: five 9s, three 8s

Jamie Dickens: two 9s, seven 8s and a 7

Nobel School has said it's "delighted" with the results of its Year 11 students, and hope they feel proud with their achievements. 

A spokeswoman for the school said: "In a variable and challenging year, our students' and staff have shown amazing resilience and determination. 

"We look forward to welcoming the majority of our Year 11 cohort into our sixth form and wish all Nobelians every success in the future. 

"The following students received all grade 9s in their GCSEs: Denni Davies, Victor Ramirez Rioja, Osokam Walter-Osedeme. 

"The following students receiving an average of a grade 9 across all their GCSEs: Ella Whitworth; Rhea D'Souza, Piper Macquillin, Kieran McManus; Afrah Peeran, Benjamin Skidmore."

Fearnhill School has said it is delighted with the results for this year's A-level and GCSE pupils.

Headteacher Liz Ellis commented: "At Fearnhill we are delighted with the excellent results our students have achieved in the face of unprecedented challenges over the last year. 

"A-level results continued to be very strong, with some students achieving A and A* grades across the board as well as many success stories in different subjects. 

"Our students should feel justly proud of the way they have responded to the circumstances of the pandemic to secure high achievement. 

"This is also true at GCSE, where there was much to celebrate for individual students and their families."

After what Marriotts School has dubbed the "most challenging year", students, staff and families are celebrating a fantastic set of GCSE results.

Headteacher Beth Honnor said: “I am so proud of every single one of our students for all they have achieved.

"Students have worked incredibly hard throughout their school career and despite the significant challenges of the pandemic. They have beaten the odds and reached and exceeded their potential.

"I would like to thank our students, their families and their teachers for their dedication and commitment to learning and to Marriotts School. We wish you every success in the future as you continue to aim high, to work hard and to be kind.”

Chair of governors, Melany Knowles was full of admiration for students against a backdrop of challenging times: “Our students, with the amazing support of Marriotts’ staff, have shown enormous resilience and can rightly celebrate their achievements, and use them to access the next stage of their education. Well done to all staff and students at Marriotts.”

The following students deserve a special mention:

• Grace Mitcham
• Dylan Rumbol
• Mia Russell
• Pali Shrestha
• Denise Nogueira Cardoso
• Jamie Kew

Grace said: "I would like to thank all my teachers, they encouraged me to be resilient. I am continuing to study at Marriotts, studying A-levels in maths, further maths and physics. I would like to study Mechanical Engineering at University."

Denise added: "I would like to thank my English teacher in particular, as I initially found English difficult after arriving to England from Portugal.

"I am going on to study A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and Spanish at Marriotts Sixth Form."

Deputy head Ed Hutchings said, “Huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 students receiving their results today, it has been another fantastic year for Marriotts School with students making great progress and achieving some of the highest possible grades.

"We are very proud of our students and look forward to welcoming so many of them back into our Sixth Form.”

A Marriotts spokesperson added: "Those that have chosen to pursue other opportunities are studying at a range of providers from North Herts College to apprenticeships schemes, we wish you every success for the future.

"We know that you will continue to work hard, aim high and to be kind and we look forward to celebrating all that you achieve going forward. Good luck and please stay in touch!"

Year 11 students at Etonbury Academy are celebrating today as GCSE results are released.

The Arlesey school, which is part of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST), is extremely proud after 71 per cent achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths.

Teachers have worked incredibly hard to ensure that students were properly assessed and the students have risen to the challenge and achieved a great set of results.

A special mention to the following students who achieved the highest grades in the cohort:

• Hannah Clarke
• Izzy Everitt
• Jasmine Norman
• Jessica Courtney
• Lauryn West
• Alister Miller
• Leanne Barber
• Harry Gayfer-Toms
• Thea Pilch
• Isaac Lonsdale

Matthew Harpin, head of Year 11, said: “The students have shown incredible fortitude over the last year and I am delighted with the outcomes they have achieved.

“They should be really proud of themselves.”

BEST chief executive officer Dr Alan Lee said: “At the Bedfordshire Schools Trust, we are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our students.

“Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the students have shown extraordinary focus, determination and resilience to gain such excellent results.

“Huge congratulations to the students and many thanks to the background staff: the staff and parents/carers!”