IT WAS a day of celebration for many teenagers across the conurbation yesterday with the discovery of GCSE results.

Just two days after A-level students received their grades, secondary school leavers were jumping for joy.

Due to the Covid pandemic, exams were cancelled and results were based on teacher assessments.

Nationally, the proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades surged to an all-time high.

At Bournemouth School, 69 per cent of all entries were graded nine to seven. In English and mathematics, respectively, 76 and 73 per cent were graded nine to seven. From a cohort of 147, 33 students attained 11 GCSEs, with an average grade of at least an eight. Among the top performers were Amir Shamsuddin, Louis Cunningham and Ramis Bhatty (10 grade nine and one grade eight).

Headteacher Dr Dorian Lewis said: “These outstanding results will enable our students to progress to further study or embark upon apprenticeships; we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

National swimmer and Talbot Heath pupil Catherine achieved seven grade nines and an eight, alongside her intensive training for Poole Swimming Club.

Bournemouth Collegiate School said it had a record-breaking set of exam results, with more than 50 per cent of the grades awarded at nine to seven.

The two top performers were Keira, achieving an impressive eight grade nines, and one grade eight; and Samson, with six grade nines and two grade eights.

Standout individual successes at Glenmoor Academy included Abigail Philips, Giorgia Cuccia, Amy Stradwick-Snell, Olivia Scammell-Charlesworth and Ida Altbacker. Likewise, among those celebrating at Winton Academy are Mason Chinery, Hayden Lewis, Kyle White, Jonathan Roberts and George Chissell.

Samantha Viney, principal at Glenmoor and Winton Academies said: “What has been remarkable is how at both Glenmoor and Winton students have kept their focus, maintained their ambition and done themselves proud.”

Parkfield School interim principal Clare Adams, said: “We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year.”

Poole High School headteacher Paul Gray said: “This year’s Year 11s have therefore been brilliant in responding to a really rigorous examination schedule.

“You and your results are a credit to your families too for their support throughout lockdown.”

Canford School headmaster Canford School Ben Vessey said: “I have been so impressed by the strength of character, dedication and tenacity displayed by our fifth formers throughout the past two tremendously challenging years.

“This group of fine young people have made fantastic contributions to the life of the school community in so many ways beyond the classroom as well as within it.”

Four pupils at Magna Academy – Shelia Monera-Cabarique, Eve Mengell, Katie Kuziara and Dylan Mumford – achieved a set of all grade eights and nines.

Principal Natasha Ullah said: “We are delighted that our students’ abilities and efforts have been recognised and reflected in this year’s results.

“These results are also testament to the expertise and relentless drive of all staff at the academy in what has been an incredibly challenging year for us all.”

Standout individual successes at Avonbourne Boys’ Academy included Mate Vizi, Edward Hardy, Mohmedanas Malek and Edward Broad, while at Avonbourne Girls’ Academy, special praise was given for Lauren Old, Megan O’Connor, Amelie Scott, Yasmin Karakus, Isabelle Robinson and Ariana Thaneja.

Executive principal Stuart Ingram said: “I am delighted for every student who is celebrating today because these qualifications are testament to their hard work over their five years here.”

Poole Grammar School headteacher Dr Amanda Smith said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate the success of our Year 11 students today, as well as the Year 13 students earlier this week.

St Edward’s School headteacher Michael Antram said students and staff had worked exceptionally hard.

He added: “We’d like to congratulate all our students on getting through their GCSE courses and assessments, and achieving such excellent results. We wish them every success in the next steps of their journey.”

Bournemouth School for Girls headteacher Alistair Brien said: “Well done to all our year 11 students collecting GCSE results today which are real testament to their hard work and resilience over the last two years.

“They can be rightly proud of their achievements to date which will stand them in excellent stead for the next stage of their studies.”

At Queen Elizabeth’s School, James Carter attained 10 grade nines.

He said: “I had hoped for some 9s but am surprised to get so many. I’m relieved and looking forward to Sixth Form.”

Headteacher Katie Boyes said: “We are delighted with all our Year 11 students’ achievements.”

David Hallsworth, headteacher at Parkstone Grammar School, said: “Huge congratulations must go to all students for their hard work and determination over the last two years. We believe in their incredible ability and they have now given themselves a wonderful platform to move into their next exciting stage of education.”

Top performer at Ferndown Upper School was Sophie Doswell, with 10 grade nines, followed by Jasmin Orak, who achieved nine grade nines and a grade eight.

Headteacher Philip Jones said he was “very proud of the achievements” of pupils.

Bourne Academy principal Mark Avoth said: “This was not the GCSE year at school that they expected or deserved, but they should be incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.”

The best performing pupil at Bourne Academy was Haydon Wansbrough, who achieved seven grade nines, one distinction star, one grade eight and one grade seven.

Executive headteacher of Twynham School and The Grange School Jy Taylor said: “We are delighted for every one of our students today both at Twynham School and TGS.

“No matter what their grades they can be proud of their achievements and the way in which they have approached their studies over the last two years.”

Bournemouth & Poole College celebrated more than 53 per cent of students achieving grade four and above in GCSE Maths and more than 59 per cent of students achieving grade four and above in GCSE English.

Liz Garman, head of school at The Grange School, said: “We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year.

“Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

James Sankey, headteacher at Corfe Hills School, said: “Congratulations to all our GCSE students collecting their results today. They have made the most of a very challenging year and thoroughly deserve their success.”

At St Peter’s Catholic School, Jordi Lopez Chiran, Eve Whiting, Ella Whitehouse, Lucy White, Nate Wharmby, Ethan Shepherd, Ella Shelton, Finlay Ryan-Smith, Sophia Priest and Amy Piper all achieved at least a grade seven or equivalent in all of their subjects.

More than over 20 per cent of students achieved five or more grade sevens and above across their GCSEs.

The school’s headteacher, Ben Doyle, said: “It is only right that the exceptional efforts of our students and staff have been rewarded with such excellent results.”

Ringwood School said it was “pleased to report very many excellent achievements by its students in their GCSE and other qualifications this summer”.

Highest achieving student at Lytchett Minster School was Bethany Pryor who achieved eight grade nines and a BTEC distinction star.