AN Ulverston school is delighted and proud of its students and their fantastic GCSE results.

Provisional GCSE data shows the proportion of Ulverston Victoria High School students achieving a standard pass in both English and maths - a grade four and above (C and above) - was 78 per cent. In English alone, almost nine out of every 10 students achieved a grade four or above.

The percentage of students gaining the equivalent of five or more GCSEs at Grade A* to C (grades nine to four) would be 75 per cent, which is significantly higher than the Cumbria average and expected to be higher than the national average.

The figure for those receiving the new ‘strong pass’ in English and maths at grade five and above (C+/B) was 53 per cent, also expected to be significantly higher than the county and national average.

UVHS saw 46 per cent of students being rewarded with at least one A* or A across their subjects and 13 per cent received top grades (A* or A, or nine, eight, seven) in eight or more subjects. UVHS had an average Performance 8 score of -0.15.

While with all of the GCSE changes make it impossible for schools to accurately compare 2017 achievement to previous years, UVHS confirms that the average grade awarded to UVHS students this year is the same as the record-breaking results from last year.

UVHS headteacher Denis Fay, said: “These are results of which the whole Ulverston community can justifiably be proud. In times of great change in education nationwide, where many schools are choosing to reduce the curriculum on offer to students in order to amplify grades in the core subjects, UVHS is bucking the national trend and not only maintaining a broad and balanced curriculum for all students, but also helping the vast majority of students achieve their potential across the board.

"Our ‘Attainment 8’ score is better than all but one other school in South Cumbria and reflects both this breadth of choice and high attainment. The number of life stories that are continually being re-written and improved upon by our students is just staggering and, as headteacher, I am inspired by both our students and by the staff at UVHS, who are ceaseless in their efforts in encouraging our students to do their best. I wish them all the very best of luck with their futures."