THERE was a sense of nervous anticipation in the air at Robert May’s School in Odiham on the morning results were ready for collection.

Headteacher Joanna West said some pupils even decided to send parents to collect their results.

The nerves proved unfounded for most, however, as the school posted some impressive results that were up on last year. Some 82 per cent of students gained five GCSEs at A* to C grade, with at least 70 per cent meeting the national benchmark of achieving at least five A*to C grades including English and maths.

A total 44 per cent of students gained C or above in English Baccalaureate subjects.

Four students – Kitty Chevalier, Katy Edwards, Bethany O’Sullivan and Hannah Thomas – each gained A* or A grades in all 12 of their examinations.

Hannah, 16, said: “I’m very pleased with my results as I hadn’t expected to pass them all.”

Katy said: “I feel very happy, as I can now go home and enjoy the summer holidays.”

Mrs West said the school was also pleased for a number of students who worked through “exceedingly challenging personal circumstances to produce outstanding results”.

These included a girl whose father had died recently.

Mrs West said she remained concerned with developments about grade boundaries changing for the examinations.

She said: “While no one here will argue against raising standards, this new strategy means that no-one can be certain about grade boundaries any more. It is hugely to our students’ credit that they have risen to the challenge and produced such fine results.”