PUPILS and schools in Abingdon were celebrating yesterday as GCSE results showed consistent improvements.

Larkmead School’s pupils and teachers were praised by headteacher Chris Harris after producing the school’s best-ever results.

Sixty-four per cent of students got five or more A* to C grades — an increase of six percentage points from last year and 22 percentage points from five years ago.

Mr Harris said: “It is far and away the best results we have ever had. There were eight kids who had eight or more A*s and As.” He said the school had surpassed its targets and put the success down to the school’s new approach to learning.

He said: “It is all part of looking at independent learning with the students, and focusing on the key skills. But we have got tremendous support from parents and governors.”

He said: “I think there is still a lot of ground to make. We are nowhere near the final product.”

Meanwhile, out of Fitzharrys School’s 157 Year 11 pupils, 70 per cent passed five or more with grades A to C — an improvement of 25 percentage points from five years ago.

Headteacher Susan Tranter, who is leaving in December, said: “Results day is a really important day for young people because the economic circumstances are underlining the importance of a high quality education.

“Over the past five years, Fitzharrys has been consistent in delivering an incredibly strong and high-quality education which is reflecting in significantly better outcomes for the young people in the community.”

She said the improvements were down to high-quality teaching and excellent behaviour. She said: “We have had hard work from both students and teachers, and support from parents who encourage the children to do their best.”

Seventy-one per cent of John Mason School’s 178 Year 11 students achieved five or more passes at A* to C, an increase of more than 12 percentage points on last year, and 21 percentage points from five years ago. Headteacher Di Mashiter said: “This is the second year that GCSE results at John Mason have shown a significant increase on the previous year — an upward trend that we are very proud of.

“We put learning at the heart of what we do and this is having a significant effect on standards. Behind these excellent results sits a tremendous amount of hard work, commitment and dedication from students, their families and the teaching and support staff at John Mason. I am immensely proud of the efforts of the John Mason community.”

Meanwhile, Abingdon School equalled its best-ever GCSE results, with 79 per cent of the 146 pupils passing at either A* or A.

Star pupils Edward O’Brien, Christian Reedman, Thomas Salt, and Sarab Sethi all got 11 A*s.

Headmaster Mark Turner said: “These boys also have enormous depth and range of talent outside the academic arena with music, drama and art flourishing alongside an unbeaten rugby season, exceptional athletics achievements and very successful rowing results.”

Ninety-six per cent of the 54 Year 11 girls at Our Lady’s School passed with A* to C grades.