FOLLOWING last week's excellent A-Level results, students across Leighton were again celebrating after achieving superb results in their GCSE exams.

Thursday's results showed that a high percentage from both Cedars and Vandyke Upper Schools achieved the necessary grades to continue their studies into the sixth form or local college.

Among the students who achieved five or more A* and A grades, two from Cedars achieved A* grades that were so high that they were actually placed in the top 10 in the country for that particular subject.

Falon Hannah Campbell sat the Leisure and Tourism double award and her result has shown that out of 6,398 candidates she was in the top 10.

Another student also achieved a result in the top 10, but in physical education. The same student went on to achieve a total of 10 A* grades.

The smiles were beaming, and all around the school students had mobile phones at the ready, furiously texting and phoning proud parents to tell them of their marvellous achievements.

Jason Dass said: "I did really well, better than I could ever have expected.

"I got one A*, seven A's and three Bs and now I am looking forward to going to sixth form where I will be studying history, English literature, French and PE. I'm looking forward to it so much."

Another student who didn't expect to achieve their outstanding grades was Adam Lenton, also of Cedars, who actually missed two exams because of tonsillitis.

Adam said: "I got six A*s and the rest were all As and I honestly can't believe it.

"I missed the history and maths exams because of my illness and expected to be 'punished' for it but to get these results is so amazing."

Cedars headteacher Andrew Warren, said: "These results are the best that the school has ever achieved, and they build on our already very strong record of academic excellence.

"Seventy four per cent of students achieved the benchmark of five or more A*-C grades and 66 per cent gained five or more top level grades including both English and maths GCSE.

"I think it is rubbish to suggest that standards of tests are declining. The standards are the same, students are just improving their personal bests."

Across town at Vandyke, the results were equally impressive with results improving for the fifth successive year, making this year's results the best ever achieved.

Jemma Perry was among a host of students at Vandyke who exceeded their expectations with excellent results.

She said: "I am absolutely ecstatic with these results. I couldn't believe it when I opened the envelope and saw that I had done so well.
"I got two A*, six As and a B. I'm going on to sixth form now to study biology, chemistry, maths and history and one day I want to be a vet."

Another student with an eye on her future is Mel Bentley, who hopes to go into advertising or marketing. She achieved seven Bs, one A and one C.

Mel said: "I'm really happy with these results. Now I can look forward to the next step and hopefully achieving similarly good results in my A-levels. I chose to study French, geography and English language, I want to carry on with the pleasing results I achieved in these subjects at GCSE."

Headteacher, Tim Carroll, said: "We are delighted with the outstanding success of students at GCSE again this summer.

"Students deserve our congratulations for these results following their hard work and commitment.

"Record results mean that more students than ever will be entering the sixth form to continue their studies.

"Students' hard work and success is also good news for our school as Vandyke will be ranked again in the top 25% of all schools in the country."

The Cottesloe School at Wing is also celebrating outstanding GCSE success.

Almost two thirds of the year group achieved five A* - C grades with 69 students achieving nine or more A* - C grades.

In particular, Chris Gomm was credited with nine A*/A grades, Chris Lane eight A*/A and Tom Padget seven A*/A grades.

The school expects a large number of students to join the sixth form in September.

Figures show that GCSE grades have improved across Bedfordshire with provisional results showing that 62 per cent of teenagers sitting the exams achieved five or more A* to C grades, compared to 58 per cent last year.

Beds County Council cabinet member for education, Cllr Carol Drinkwater, said: "I am thrilled with the GCSE results this year.

"The vast majority of our schools have produced better results than last year, with several outstanding improvements.

"I want to congratulate all of our young people and their teachers on the hard work that underpins these achievements."