GCSE joy for Bexhill's best (and bravest)

It was the day when GCSE results were revealed.

St Richard's Catholic College celebrated another year of excellent results.

By midday yesterday the pass rate for students achieving five or more A* - C grades stood at 82 per cent - though the score could increase as more information is collated.

Principal Tony Campbell was delighted with efforts of all involved.

He said: "They are excellent results and congratulations should go to all the hard work put in by staff and pupils.

"The score could still go up when we look at the results individually."

Notable individual performers included Rebecca Morley who scored a combined total of ten A star and A grades plus other GCSEs.

She said: "I screamed when I saw the results."

Laura Cannon achieved three A stars, seven A's and a B. "It was a lot of hard work," she said. "I'm glad it has paid off."

Andrew Eaton declared himself "quite laid back" upon receiving the news he had scored five A stars, five A's and a B.

"Not nervous at all," agreed his friend William Newell who managed three A stars, three A's and five B's.

The college's results place the Ashdown Road school far above the national average of 62.4 per cent gaining five of more A star to C's.

High School head Mike Conn spoke to the Observer ahead of the school's figures being fully assessed. He said: "I am very pleased with all the children's performance.

"They performed extremely well with some significant results with some children gaining as many as 13 GCSEs at Grade C and above.

"The provisional headline figure at the moment is about 62 per cent A* to C, which is a little bit down on last year but it will go up once we get the final lot of figures in.

"I am particularly pleased in the light of the difficulties we have had over maths over the last two years.

"It has not been possible to appoint a head of maths - we have just done it and a new one is starting in September.

"It has caused a great deal of difficulty but from now on we will be back on the up."

SOME were texting home in jubilation. Others were in tears.

It was the annual agony-and-ecstacy scene at the High School as students emerged into the rain carrying the brown envelopes bearing their destiny.

Fiona Hardes was among those sending home good news. Her results will send her on to college to pursue her intended career as a primary school teacher.

Victoria Roller had notched up 12 good grades. As yet she is undecided on a career.

Twelve good grades and a PE result brought a smile to the face of Nicola Allen.

Chris Morgan and Ross Perris both emerged with smiles. But while Chris will go off to college with B grades, Ross was putting a brave face on it.

Still smiling, and clutching a skateboard, he said: "I've done pretty badly really. Still, I got a pass in art."

Undaunted, he said: "I shall travel the world, doing art."

For more reaction and pictures see next week's Observer.