THREE local pupils yesterday gained GCSE results in the UK’s top five. The Grammar School English literature students were celebrating their amazing achievement yesterday.

Classmates Alex Stephens, Jo Stagg and Lauren Pearce beat about 37,000 other candidates.

It topped off a great results day for the school, with 99% of pupils gaining five GCSEs between grades A* and C – up 2% on last year.

‘I can’t stop jumping up and down,’ said Alex, who was stunned at the English literature result, saying it was her worst exam.

‘I’m not just saying it, I honestly didn’t think I was good. Lauren and Jo have always been the best in the class.

‘I’ve struggled a bit because I’m not that creative. I came out really low after that exam – it just shows you don’t know what you will get.’

She was set to do A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and physics.

‘But I’ll have to consider English now. I didn’t think I was that good at it.’

All three girls were full of praise for their English teacher, Sarah Crisp.

Jo was amazed at being in the top five. The night before picking up her results, she had slept over at a house with six other friends.

‘We were all getting excited, then this morning we walked down here and got here about half an hour early,’ she said.

English literature was her favourite.

‘I enjoy analysing texts. I love to read and study and look between the lines. Mrs Crisp is such a good teacher – we had such a good class and support from everyone.’

She will now go on to study economics, psychology, biology and English literature in the sixth form.

Jo was not sure what she would do.

‘But I don’t want to waste this, I want to make the most of it, so I might just focus on English.’

Lauren was thrilled with her results.

It had been a nerve-racking build-up to opening the envelope. ‘I couldn’t really sleep that well last night, then I woke up quite early.

‘I was reading, trying to occupy myself and speaking to my parents to distract me.’

She will now study biology, chemistry, French, Spanish and English.

‘I was still deciding between English and maths – I suppose that this has just made my mind up.’

Lauren did not expect the result.

‘The lessons have been so interesting, I don’t know how Mrs Crisp does it, but she seems to make it almost fun.’