Pupils and schools across north Essex are in an upbeat mood after scoring good marks in this year's school GCSE league tables.
And Essex schools have scored a record high with their results continuing to rise over the last five years.
They were then below the national average.
Staff and pupils at the Gilberd School celebrate their place in the GCSE league tables
Now more than half of Essex students have received five or more good grades in the GCSEs they sat last summer and are still above the national average.
The Government has announced the eagerly awaited tables today and the Gilberd School in High Woods, Colchester, is just one of those celebrating a good showing.
For GCSE and GNVQ results, it has a pass rate of 65 per cent for passes at grades A* to C, compared to 58 per cent in 2001 one of the biggest jumps in this area.
The Government figures also look at the level of truancy in schools and provide a benchmark for schools to see how well pupils are faring and compare themselves with similar schools.
Again Essex is below the national average for truancy and some schools, including Thomas, Lord Audley School and Language College in Colchester has significantly cut the number of unauthorised days absent from school.
This year also marked the first time that younger pupils doing key stage three exams had been assessed with a new "value-added" category.
Delighted headteacher Valerie Cresswell said: "The staff and governors of the Gilberd School are absolutely delighted with the school's achievements as shown in this year's performance tables."
Published Thursday, January 23, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article