GCSE results 2019: ‘Phenomenal’ pupils at Claremont High School ‘smash all previous records’

No grade damage: Amar Mahmood broke his hand two days before GCSE exams started at Claremont HIgh School. Picture: Claremont High School (Image: Archant)

Pupils at Claremont High School were in a joyous mood this morning.

Jayshiv Patel achieved 11 grade 9s and one grade 8.

Christine Morris, associate assistant head, said: "It's incredibly hard to receive a top grade GCSE. It's widely acknowledged that the new GCSEs are more demanding and challenging than ever before."

She added: "Jayshiv's astounding feat was almost matched by classmates Jonathan Pereira with 12 top grades, and Grace Landgrebe, Diya Patel, Arabella Parmar, Hillary Sith, Jan Pickett and Damini Vekaria, all with at least 10 grade 8 and 9s each."

Claremont High School's Lidia Bejerea. Picture: Claremont High (Image: Archant)

In total, 49 students at the Claremont Avenue school, nearly 20 per cent of the entire year, took top honours, being awarded at least eight grades 7 to 9.

Lidia Bejerea, who achieved nine level 7s and above, said; "I can't believe this! I didn't think they were my results! On a scale of one to 10, I feel at about a 10 at the moment!"

Amar Mahmood, who scored level 7s and 6s, broke his hand two days before the exams started but still managed to exceed his expectations. "It was a nightmare, but they gave me extra time which helped. I'm really happy!" he said.

Head Nicola Hyde-Boughey said the pupils were "just phenomenal".

"Every year, we think we can't ask our students for more and every year they are determined to smash all previous records! I am truly inspired by them," she added.

She said the school was delighted that its outstanding results of last year were equalled and improved in some areas.

Ms Hyde-Boughey added: "We have fantastically supportive parents and I would like to thank them, as well as our wonderful staff team, for making these results possible."