In a record-breaking performance, nearly half the 848 GCSE papers taken by pupils at Colston’s School were awarded A* and A grades.

With 93 pupils sitting the examinations, the percentage of A* and A grades climbed from last year’s 41.7 per cent to a new school record level of 43.3 per cent.

The percentage of candidates gaining five or more A*-C grades rose by over six per cent from last year to 94.6 per cent. This is the second highest in the school’s history and was only bettered by the class of 2001 whose 95.8 per cent remains the best yet at Colston’s.

However this year’s overall pass rate at A*-C is a record – 93.3 per cent compared with the previous highest of 92.8 per cent in 1999.

Colston’s has again performed outstandingly at Mathematics. Of the 93 candidates, 26 gained A*s and 18 gained As. A further seven A*s and 14 As were gained in Statistics.

This means that 55 per cent of Colston’s papers in Mathematics and Statistics returned A*s and As.

Colston’s has a strong reputation for Drama, and this was again underlined at GCSE. Of the 42 Drama candidates, eight gained A*s and 25 gained As – a percentage rate of 78.5 per cent.

Top two GCSE candidates Charlotte Mardle and James Milne

The most successful individual performance was by Charlotte Mardle with 10 A*s and one A. Charlotte’s father Ray is Senior Housemaster at Colston’s.

Close behind were James Milne (nine A*s and two As) and Stacey-Jo Webster (eight A*s and 3As).

Peter Fraser, who this week took over as Headmaster at Colston’s, said:
“I am delighted to be joining the school at the time of record results. I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to all staff and pupils on their collective achievements. Their success is fully deserved !”