GCSE students celebrated exam successes today (Thursday) as all schools in the area gained record results. Witchford pupils had an astonishing 20 per cent increase in A*-C grades, under the leadership of headteacher David Taylor who has only been at the

GCSE students celebrated exam successes today (Thursday) as all schools in the area gained record results.

Witchford pupils had an astonishing 20 per cent increase in A*-C grades, under the leadership of headteacher David Taylor who has only been at the school since Easter 2007.

He said: "We didn't have study leave period this year and carefully planned the revision programme, which included chill out and yoga sessions - if students are in school we can support them much more. This was a great year group - very hard-working - and we are sorry to see them go."

Witchford had 68 per cent of students at A*-C, compared with 60 per cent at City of Ely and 60 per cent at Soham.

It's important to acknowledge the very large number of students who were going to find it difficult to get a C in a subject and got one," said Mr Taylor.

Ian Gartshore, City of Ely principal who retired at the end of the summer term, was back to see how his students got on. "We are all absolutely thrilled with these results. They reflect a lot of hard work and commitment from students and staff and a huge amount of support from parents. Virtually every subject department met or exceeded the challenging targets which we set. We set ourselves ambitious targets five years ago when we became a specialist business college. In 2002, the percentage of students achieving five or more higher grades was 33%. We have increased that figure by 26% in six years. All at the college are committed to seeing these improvements continue. When we add these results to the recent achievement of the Inclusion Quality Mark, where an OFSTED Inspector commended the college for its commitment to the success of all students, it has been an outstanding year for the college and the community which we serve."

At Soham, Dr Carin Taylor said: "Every set of results reflects the hard work and dedication of students and the commitment and professionalism of our teachers and other staff in college. There are also a large number of parents and carers who have provided outstanding support for their children. I am grateful to them all for their efforts and congratulate them on their success."

More than 42 per cent of all GCSE examinations taken by King's School pupils were graded A or A* and 97 per cent achieved five or more A* - C grades. Top achiever was Kyoichi Aizawa who achieved 13 A grades, including 9 A*, while Claire Martin achieved no fewer than 11 A* passes.

Joseph Gardom, Matthew Ixer and Grace Currah all achieved 10 Grade As with five at A* while Danielle Isbitsky and Jack Riordan both achieved 10 A grade passes with four at A*. James Duncalfe, who has been a pupil at King's since the Pre-Prep, is celebrating with 10 straight A grades, six at A*. Sarah Diss was awarded 10 A levels including a stunning eight at A*. David Wallis is another pupil to be celebrating 10 A levels, six of which are at A*.

The GCSE results follow last week's outstanding 'A' level results in which 85% of results were graded A-C, a five per cent increase on the 2007 results, and the best-ever recorded at King's.

Head teacher Sue Freestone said: "Learning should be an adventure and, as demonstrated by this year's academic results, King's School Ely is a school where each individual pupil can thrive and achieve beyond their own expectations. We are tremendously proud of our students' achievements.