ALL island secondary schools and St Anne’s in Alderney have shown a marked improvement in their GCSE results this year – an overall increase of 6% on last year’s figure. Provisional results show that 63.8% of Bailiwick students gained five or more passes at A* to C grades. This compares favourably with the UK, where 59.2% of pupils achieved the same results.

There was 100% success rate at the Grammar School, with more than 50% achieving A or A* grades.

‘For years we tried to achieve 40% and, two years ago, we got just above that. This year, like last year, over half of our pupils have got the top grades – I’m really pleased,’ said head teacher Dennis Balls. ‘Statistically, this is the best year ever. The pupils have done well right across the year group. They’ve all done really well.’

Ladies’ College deputy principal Rhiannon Cook said that the school had beaten all records. ‘It’s a fabulous set of results. We’re delighted.’

Four girls passed all 10 GCSEs at A* and another 17 achieved 10 GCSEs with As or A*s.

Blanchelande Girls’ College achieved high grades, which said a lot about the year group, according to principal Lesley Le Page.

‘There are a lot of very happy young ladies. I’m delighted for them. They’ve worked very hard. Two of the girls were not native English speakers so we’re very pleased for them. Everyone got what they needed to move on to the next stage of their education.’

College of Further Education principal Trevor Wakefield said that GCSE were not a priority because the college concentrated on post-16 education. However, he was pleased with the 75% success rate at grade C or above.

‘The important thing for us is to talk to the youngsters and work out what they’d like to do next and fit them in at the right level.’

La Mare de Carteret head teacher Philip White said 13 pupils passed every exam they had taken at grade C or above and, overall, the success rate was 60%.

‘They’re super results,’ he said.

Les Beaucamps head Peter Le Cheminant emphasised that many students who had made the most progress had achieved passes below A grades.

‘Some of the highlights have been students who’ve come in with learning difficulties and achieved grade Cs or above, which is fantastic. It’s exciting to think that they have made that amount of progress. We want every student to leave our school with a sense of achievement.’

St Peter Port School was delighted with its results.

‘There is a lot of delight in the staff room and among the students, with overall results up by 10%,’ said head teacher Ken Wheeler. ‘I think perhaps students are listening more carefully and they realise there is competition out there and that they have to work hard. And more are seeing the value of continuing education beyond this stage.’

Most pupils at St Sampson’s School will also go on to the Grammar School or College of Further Education.

‘The most important thing is that we have many youngsters who have achieved very highly and deserved their success, showing commitment, effort and high expectations,’ said head teacher Hazel Tetlaw. ‘We are delighted they have got the grades they need and there are some outstanding results, each in their different ways.’

Elizabeth College matched previous bests with an overall pass rate of 100% and 90% at A* to C. Most of the boys will be staying on to do A-levels.

‘These fine results are a culmination of five years’ study and I am pleased to see our boys’ endeavours well rewarded,’ said principal Dr Nick Argent.

Four pupils passed 10 subjects at A* or A and 16 pupils gained seven or more passes at A* or A.

The high results achieved by St Anne’s pupils in Alderney continued year-on-year improvements at the school.

Head teacher Yvonne Locker said: ‘We have improved for the fourth successive year. This is a tribute to the hard work of students and staff and the strong support we have from parents.’