THOUSANDS of teenagers across the borough are celebrating after yesterday's GCSE results saw the biggest year-on-year improvement in a decade. Provisional results indicate that more pupils than ever before in Norfolk have achieved five or more A* to C grades, with a 3.

THOUSANDS of teenagers across the borough are celebrating after yesterday's GCSE results saw the biggest year-on-year improvement in a decade.

Provisional results indicate that more pupils than ever before in Norfolk have achieved five or more A* to C grades, with a 3.6 percentage point increase on last year. Figures suggest 59.9pc of pupils have achieved five of the top grades this year, compared to 56.3pc last year.

There has also been a 2.9 percentage point increase in the number of young people achieving five A* to C grades, including English and maths. Provisional school data reveals that 48.1pc achieved the government's gold standard this year, compared to 45.2pc last year.

The results mean that more than 300 more youngsters have achieved both standards, compared to last year.

Norfolk's results have improved significantly in the last four years, with 39.2pc of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades, including English and Maths in 2004. The figure, not including English and maths was 50.5pc, meaning there has been about a 10 percentage point increase in both measures in the last four years.

Norfolk County Council does not collect pass rates for the county but nationally the overall pass rate has increased this year. There will be no indication of how many students nationally have achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C until mid-October.

Fred Corbett, deputy director of children's services, said: “These are record results for Norfolk and it is fantastic news that the county's performance at GCSE is continuing to improve.”

He said there had been significant improvements at many schools and outstanding results at some schools including Acle which saw at least a 10 percentage point increase in the number of pupils achieving five A* to C, including English and maths.

He added: “These schools have seen the huge efforts of staff and pupils pay dividends. We are especially pleased to see results improve at the schools where we have been working closely to raise attainment, particularly in English and Maths.

“Despite these improvements, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to work closely with schools to further increase standards.”

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for children's services, said: “I am thrilled to see such huge improvements in this year's GCSE results and would like to congratulate students on what are a fantastic set of results.

“I would also like to thank teachers, governors, mentors and parents for all of their hard work and support in helping these students to succeed.”

Key: The first figure shows the percentage of students who gained five or more A*-C GCSEs including English and maths. The figures in brackets are the same measure for the years 2007, 2006 and 2005.

The second figure shows the percentage of students who gained five or more A*-C grades in any subjects. The figures in brackets are the same measure for the years 2007, 2006 and 2005.

ACLE HIGH

62pc (46) (50) (38)

69pc (57) (63) (58)

“We are absolutely thrilled with the results. Last year was a blip but now, thanks to the students' and my staff's hard work, we have got the results we deserve.” - Headteacher Gerard Batty.

CAISTER HIGH

43.44pc (43) (44) (30)

62pc (50 (50) (35)

“We have beaten all the targets set for us by the local authority.

I am absolutely delighted for the students because they have worked hard”

- Headteacher George Denby.

CLIFF PARK HIGH, GORLESTON

44pc (42) (35) (33)

59.4pc (54) (39) (38)

“We are absolutely delighted to receive another record year of results. It's an Olympian effort by all concerned. I would like to thank all my staff and students for their hard work and dedication during the last year.” - Headteacher Mark Bailie.

FLEGG HIGH, MARTHAM

51pc (50) (56) (49)

66pc (58) (62) (58)

“The students have done extremely well. I am delighted to see that we have had a very good level of achievement from our male students”

- Headteacher Cherry Crowley.

LYNN GROVE HIGH, GORLESTON

53pc (53) (42) (42)

67pc (81) (76.5) (75.5)

“I am delighted for students, parents and staff that we have maintained the dramatic improvement made last year.”

- Headteacher David Evans.

ORIEL HIGH, GORLESTON

24pc (19) (22) (24)

34pc (32) (29) (33)

“I'm delighted for the school and the staff that we have got these results, which show that we've been placing a lot of emphasis on literacy and numeracy and that work is now paying off. We are on course to meet all our government targets in three years' time.”

- Headteacher Paul Butler.

STALHAM HIGH

45pc (35) (45) (25)

54pc (46) (58) (35.7)

“We are very pleased with the second best set of results we have ever had. What is particularly pleasing is good results in the core subjects of English, maths and science - and that the boys did better than the girls, which is down to a very able group of boys who all performed to their limits.”

- Head John Chilvers

YARMOUTH COLLEGE

Unavailable

71pc (62) (68) (55)

“The students have done brilliantly considering that in addition they have their vocational courses as well.” - Vice principal Daphne King.

YARMOUTH HIGH

47pc (39) (30) (30)

60pc (52) (38) (35)

“This is an outstanding set of results for all concerned. My congratulations to our magnificent students and thanks to my superb staff.” - Headteacher Jim Nixon.