PUPILS from across Colchester anxiously opened their GCSE results to see if they achieved their goals after weeks of waiting.

More than 140 St Benedict’s College students attained grade 4+ in both English and maths, with 27 pupils achieving at least grade 7 in both.

Principal Jo Santinelli said: “We are so proud of the class of 2021, who, despite the unprecedented levels of disruption they faced, worked incredibly hard throughout Year 11 and took full advantage of all the supportive measures we put in place.”

At St Mary’s School, 99 per cent of all GCSEs were at grade 4 and above with 98 per cent of all candidates achieving five or more GCSEs at grade 4 and above, including maths and English.

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An impressive 57 per cent of St Mary’s pupils achieved grade 7 to 9, compared to 28.9 per cent of UK GCSE entries.

There was an 100 per cent pass rate in 22 subjects.

Gillian Marshall, principal of Colchester County High School for Girls, said: “Year 11 students have demonstrated their strength of character and good humour in the most challenging of circumstances.

“We are hugely grateful for the positive way that everyone has supported each other, and worked in the best interests of the school community.”

The Gilberd School is also celebrating the “fantastic achievements” of its pupils.

Headteacher Linda Exley said: “Despite the challenges of cancelled examinations and disruption to teaching over two academic years, our students have shown great resilience and determination which is reflected in these well-deserved results.”

St Helena School, in Colchester, said its pupils have shown incredible resilience and “Herculean strength of mind”.

A statement from the school said: “They have experienced some of the biggest educational challenges of our time.

“Not only have they lived through a global pandemic, littered with periods of school closure and online learning, many of them have been through personal challenges.”

Philip Morant pupils and their families are celebrating success with some excellent GCSE and BTEC results.

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A school statement said: “There are countless individual stories, where students have struggled with very difficult circumstances and yet still achieved, or outperformed their own expectations.

“The results also reflect the improvements made across the school in terms of the curriculum, homework, facilities and opportunities as staff, parents and students work collaboratively to provide the best education for young people.

“We wish them all the very best as they progress on to their next stage in life, whether that be work, training or education.”

Teachers praised for their efforts 

TEACHERS who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to help GCSE pupils reach their full potential have been praised by their headteachers. 

Jonathan Bland, Stanway School’s headteacher, said the school is pleased to report some outstanding achievements by its pupils in their GCSEs and other qualifications this summer.

He added: “We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year. 

“Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

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John Russell, headteacher at Colchester Royal Grammar School, said: “For so many reasons, it is impossible for us to compare these results with other years. 

“Not just because of how the outcomes were determined, but because of the challenges that these students have faced through the pandemic.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to support our young people, and the engagement we have had from parents has been phenomenal."