Highest possible grades at Helston Community College as students celebrate GCSE results

This is the first year of the new “9-1” GCSEs in English and maths – the top grade of a 9 being the equivalent of a A** and 8 an A* - and students rose to the challenge.

In English Literature 74 per cent of students achieved a “standard pass” while overall, taking both English qualifications together, the figure rises to 82 per cent.

In maths, the percentage of students achieving a “standard pass” was 68 per cent, with seven students receiving the prestigious grade 9.

The school said there were many other “excellent performances” at the top grade, with 20 per cent of students achieving five or more GCSEs at grade A or 7 and above.

Top of the class was Lowenna Riley, who achieved three grade 9 and seven A*- the highest possible grade in every subject, with a school spokesman describing her performance as “truly exceptional.”

Other high performers were Tea Clark (two 9, seven A*), Sam McLelland (two 9, one 8, 5A*), Kian Hocking (two 9, one 8, five A*) and Ben Holden (one 9, one 8, six A*).

Sam McLelland was one of the top performers with equivalent 2A**, 6A*, 1A and distinction

High flyer Kian Hocking achieved the equivalent of 2A**, 8A*, 2A

In addition to those with the top grades, the school also highlighted other students who had made “superb progress” across all qualifications and deserved praise: Eleanor Phesse, Phoebe Lingwood, Connie Lockwood, Emily Whitelaw, Ellie Wheatley, Lauren Belcher, Miles Binnie, Hannah Ralph, Becca Keevil and Roan Burn.

All smiles from Ellie Phesse with her equivalent 5A* and 5A grades

Many of the year 11 students are now preparing to return in two weeks, to begin their studies in the college’s sixth form.

Executive headteacher Donna Bryant said: “I’m really pleased with the children’s achievement. It’s fantastic, especially, after the turmoil of the new exams; students have done brilliantly, so well done to them and the staff.”