They've done it again. Schools in north Essex today opened some of their best ever GCSE results.

Despite a slight drop in the pass rate nationally down 0.1 per cent to 96.5 per cent records were broken for a second year in a row at some of Colchester's schools.

The A to G grade pass rate for traditional academic GCSEs stalled at 96.7 per cent, and the gap between the best and worst performers widened, exam results showed. The proportion of entries awarded a C or better rose to 59.2 per cent from 58.1 per cent.

At Stanway School in Colchester, Luke Bartholemew and Stuart Coogan both got the equivalent of 14 A* GCSEs each. Luke, of Birch, said: "I am a bit shocked but obviously very happy. I did not expect to get as many A-stars."

The pair were the first in the school's history to achieve A*s in all subjects. "It is good to be a trendsetter. We studied together and were in most of the same classes. We wanted to see who could get the most As."

Luke's favourite subject was geography, which he will study at A-level, along with maths, physics and economics.

Stuart, of Tollgate, said: "I am really pleased. But I do not know what I want to do now. I would like to go to college but that's about it for now."

More in today's Evening Gazette.

Published Thursday August 26, 2004

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