Pupils and teachers gathered early in the morning at Esher Church of England High School, Christ College in Guildford and The Priory School in Dorking, to receive their results.
Among the results, 80 per cent of all GCSE qualifications at Esher High School were grade 4 or above- a 6 per cent increase on last year. There was also an increase in the number of pupils achieving the top grade 9 result- 155 in total.
In The Priory School, Dorking, around 70 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics and 100 per cent of students achieved at least a grade 4 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Many of the pupils of the three schools will go on to study at colleges including Farnborough College of Technology, Esher College, Guildford College and Brooklands College. A few others are due to attend the famous performing arts college, The Brit School, whose alumni include the singers, Adele and the late Amy Winehouse.
The Diocesan Board of Education is responsible for 83 Church of England schools, three of which are secondary schools.
Canon Alex Tear, Diocesan Director of Education said: “Today’s results are a culmination of years of hard work and preparation, and the pupils should be proud of their achievements.
“While GCSEs are an important milestone, grades do not need to define your future. There will of course be pupils who didn’t get the grades they hoped for, but they shouldn’t be disheartened as God has a plan for everyone and, with continued hard work, opportunities will emerge.”
Celebrating with friends on the day Izzy, a pupil from The Priory said: “These results have given me the confidence for the next chapter.”
Pupils at Christ College were similarly excited on results morning with a number of students we spoke with achieving beyond their expectations. Monta, age 17 said: “I feel really good about my results as I got what I was wishing for, and now I can study computer studies at Farnborough College. Comfort age 16, said she wants to be a lawyer and will now go on to study politics, law and maths at Farnborough Sixth Form.
Andy King, Headteacher of Esher Church of England School said:
“I am immensely proud of our students. They have shown such resilience, commitment and determination throughout their education with us, and today we see the reward for all that hard work.”
Jo Trimnell, Headteacher of The Priory School said: “These results are a testament to their hard work and the strength of our school community. At The Priory School, we believe in building success together, ensuring every student is supported to become everything they are created to be. We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence and inclusion.”
Matthew Goulborn, Headteacher at Christ College Guildford said: "We are delighted to celebrate another successful year at Christ’s College, marked by the achievements of our GCSE students. We are also deeply grateful to our supportive parents and carers, whose partnership plays a vital role in our students’ journeys.
“Above all, we celebrate our students—each one of whom has shown courage, perseverance, and ambition."