Schools in Marlow and Bourne End celebrated another “outstanding” set of GCSE results, with the head teachers of Great Marlow and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar schools, and Bourne End Academy, praising staff and students for their hard work in the face of new reforms.

Kevin Ford, head teacher at Great Marlow School, said this year’s results were looking likely to be the “best ever”, with 70 per cent of the cohort achieving five or more A*-C grades or equivalent in subjects including maths and English, which are now reformed and graded 9-1.

Around 80 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above.

Mr Ford said: ‘We are delighted with these fantastic results, which, with a few more details to be finalised, look like being our best set of GCSE results ever.

“This, in the context of the reformed GCSE English and Mathematics, led to some uncertainty. This uncertainty has been managed extremely well here, at Great Marlow, by the students and teachers, ensuring all students have been able to fulfil their potential.”

One high achieving student at the school, Amy-Jane Bill who got two grade 9s, one grade 8, one A* and three As, was in tears as she opened her brown envelope.

She said: “I did really well. I did not think I was going to get an 8 and 9 in English. I’m very happy and proud of myself.”

Amy-Jane is planning to attend Henley College to study maths, English literature, law and psychology.

At Borlase’s, more than 74 per cent of pupils achieved A*-A, more than 92 per cent achieved A*-B and almost 100 per cent achieved A*-C.

High-achiever Victoria Chong got eight A*s and three grade 9s.

Headmaster Dr Peter Holding said: “We are really delighted by these results. With all the uncertainties surrounding the new exams in Maths and English, this year group had to manage great uncertainty and anxiety, and I am very proud of the work that they put in and the successes they have now achieved. 

Bourne End Academy (BEA) head teacher Andrea Jacobson said in the first year of the more difficult English and maths GCSEs, BEA pupils could “hold their heads high” and be proud of their results.

She said: “We do not yet have any national context around the new grades, but are delighted that despite the increased difficulty our students have worked hard and achieved well. 

“Many thanks to everyone for working determinedly through our GCSE examinations.  Our students have been a real credit to themselves, us and their parents. 

“The effort from our dedicated staff is so appreciated and we are acutely aware that this is further supported by our parents. A great team effort by all at BEA.”