STUDENTS at Upton-by-Chester High School celebrated "exceptional" grades on GCSE results day.

Despite the challenging backdrop of a disrupted few years in education, the school on St James's Avenue said that the grades were testament to the students' commitment to learning.

They added that learners had "exceeded all expectations" and demonstrated "great resilience and character."

Headteacher Lee Cummins said: "Today’s results are truly deserved, the class of 2023 have been a remarkable year group, well done to each and every learner. We very much look forward to welcoming many of our learners into the Sixth Form where they will continue to thrive.

"I would like to thank parents for their unwavering support and the dedicated teaching staff who have helped to ensure this cohort of learners can go on to the next stage in their education proud of what they have achieved."

Nationally, the proportion of candidates receiving the highest grades has fallen from last year, but remains higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 22.0 per cent of entries were awarded 7/A or above, down from 26.3 per cent in 2022 but up from 20.8 per cent in 2019.

Some 68.2 per cent of entries received a 4/C grade or above. This is down from 73.2 per cent last year, but higher than 67.3 per cent in 2019.

Outstanding individuals

Upton-by-Chester High highlighted some notable individual success from their class of 2023, including:

  • Rose Draper - 8 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8s and 1 Grade 5
  • Chantelle Jacobs - 8 Grade 9s and 1 Grade 8
  • Emily Gascoigne – 8 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8s and 1 Grade 5
  • Ewen Nemeth – 7 Grade 9s and 3 Grade 8s
  • Alice Wu – 5 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s and 1 Grade 7
  • Kamila Bakun – 5 Grade 9s, 3 Grade 8s and 2 Grade 6s
  • George Spence – 5 Grade 9s and 2 Grade 8s
  • Thomas Taggart – 4 Grade 9s, 3 Grade 8s and 2 Grade 6s
  • Lina Korshid – 3 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s and 2 Grade 7s
  • Phoebe Gruber – 3 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s, 1 Grade 7 and 1 Grade 6
  • Claire Stringfellow – 3 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s and 2 Grade 6s
  • Anna Mason – 1 Grade 9, 6 Grade 8s, 1 Grade 7 and 1 Grade 6
  • Alex Gray – 4 Grade 8s, 4 Grade 7s and 1 Grade 6