HUNDREDS of students from across East Cambridgeshire made the nervous trip into school on Thursday to collect their GCSE exam results.

Pupils at Ely College, Witchford Village College, The King’s School and Soham Village College were up bright and early for the big day, with many already looking towards higher education or the world of work.

Fifty-four per cent of pupils at Ely College achieved five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths. This was up nine per cent on last year’s results, and represents the college’s best ever performance on this measure.

Of particular note were Nathan Grainger’s 10 A* grades and 1 additional A; Izzie Atkinson’s 10 A* grades; Tyler Thurston’s 10 A grades; Thomas Frodsham’s 6 A* grades and another 7 A’s; and Charlotte Jarvis’ 9 A grades.

Irina Janys, a student whose first language is Lithuanian, achieved 5 A* grades and a further 2 A’s.

Principal Catherine Jenkinson-Dix, said: “We are delighted with the performance of these students, who all worked extremely hard for the results they have collected today.

“Many also did better than predicted in earlier assessments, particularly in maths and English, where 62 per cent and 65 per cent of students respectively achieved a C grade or better.

“With universities and employers saying that they will look back beyond A-level grades to GCSE results as an indicator of a candidate’s potential, these students have set themselves up for future success.”

At King’s Ely, more than half of all awarded were an A* or A and 15 per cent of students scored straight A*s and As in all subjects. Almost three quarters (74 per cent) of overall grades were A*-B grades and 98 per cent of students gained five or more A*-C grades.

The highest achievers, who all received A* grades in every one of their chosen subjects, include Laura Day, from Soham, Emily Lachmann, from Ely, Sanjiban Mandal and George Ryan, from Ely.

Head of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone said: “Our students engage with so much outside of the curriculum, I never cease to be deeply impressed by the quality of their academic achievements.

“This year’s students are no exception. Many have achieved straight As and A*s and the vast majority have exceeded their own expectations by a long way. They deserve warm congratulations.”