Students in Ledbury and Bromyard have been celebrating “outstanding” GCSE results.

Nationally, the proportion of top grades awarded was expected to fall, with results coming back down to pre-Covid levels.

But headteachers at John Masefield and Queen Elizabeth schools say they are proud of how students have done.

John Masefield High School said students in Year 11 worked hard throughout their GCSE course and achieved consistently good results.

The pass rate was 99%. The percentage of students achieving grade 4 and higher, and grade 5 and higher were above those achieved in 2019, the final year before the pandemic.

Highlights include: In each of English, mathematics and science three quarters of entries resulted in grade four or better, and at least half of all entries were grade five or above.

In each of biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, food and nutrition, German, history and music over a quarter of students achieved grades 7, 8 or 9.  In many of these subjects all or nearly all students achieved grade 4 or higher.

Andy Evans, headteacher, said: "Year 11 students have worked hard and improved their knowledge and understanding during their GCSE studies.

"They have achieved strong results and have the potential to achieve considerable success in JMHS Sixth Form, or their chosen college or apprenticeship. I would like to wish every student all the very best."

There were many smiling faces as pupils collected their results at Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard after weeks of anticipation.

Martin Farmer, executive headteacher, said: “All at Queen Elizabeth would like to pass on our congratulations to Year 11 pupils on their examination results in what has been a turbulent period of their education.

“There have been many outstanding successes and over 90% of pupils have secured the grades they need to move on to the next stage of their education at college, sixth form or as an apprentice which is indeed impressive when the impact of the pandemic and subsequent recovery is taken into account and the national picture for this examination series which has seen grade boundaries move substantially.

“We wish them all the very best as they embark on the next stage of their lives and education.”