Pupils have been gathering at Abingdon schools to collect their GCSE results.

A grade of 9 in the GCSE system is the highest grade, equivalent to a high A* and pupils were hoping for 7, 8, and 9 grades, which are all equivalent to A or A*.

At John Mason School, headteacher Alastair West said he was delighted with pupils' results as they have had "a challenging five years", with their studies impacted by the Covid pandemic.

READ MORE: GCSE results day - results from across Oxfordshire 

This meant they were "significantly impacted" in years 7 and 8, and had to resort to online learning as they weren't allowed to attend classes for some of the time.

Mr West added: "Staff have gone above and beyond in terms of supporting students to deal with a wide variety of issues they faced."

Among John Mason pupils picking up their GCSEs was Lois Kemp-Harper, who turned up with her parents Richard and Julie. Lois is now planning to study English literature, history and politics at A-level.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Other pupils included Annabel Brown, Tim Cole, Elenja Hajdu, Lee Raithby, Brynmor Bennett, and Hebe Sanders.

Brynmor said: "I got an 8 in English language which I was quite surprised by. I'm going to St Birinus sixth form in Didcot for A-levels in Spanish, physics and photography."

Lee Raithby added: "There were multiple papers to get through in a packed schedule - it was quite a challenge."

READ MORE: Basketball team makes a comeback with GCSE results 

He is planning to study A-levels in chemistry, further maths, maths and physics so he can pursue a career in Formula 1.

Will Speke, headteacher at Fitzharrys School, said it was the "third year in a row of positive outcomes for our students".

"In years 7 and 8 there were Covid challenges but they got over that challenge, and about 60 per cent will go on to our joint sixth form with John Mason School."

Among pupils at Fitzharrys School picking up their results envelopes were Bailey Down, Gracie Neale, Asha Edwards, and Isabella Cooper.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Bailey was chuffed to get an 8 grade in food preparation and nutrition as he wants to be a chef and is planning to take a course in culinary arts in Oxford.

Isabella got 8 grades in chemistry, maths, and physics and is planning to take A-levels in maths, further maths and physics at the John Mason/Fitzharrys joint sixth form.

She said: "Each teacher had a different teaching style but at the end of the day they got results.

"I'm going to celebrate by going to the Vue cinema to see a horror film."

Fritha Bladon and Kimberley Gladwell were also at Fitzharrys School hall to pick up their GCSE results.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Kimberley was pleased to pick up a 9 grade in English literature and is now looking forward to A-levels including psychology, PE and core maths.

"I enjoyed studying Lord of the Flies as one of my set books," she said.

Jonathan Dennett, headteacher of Larkmead School, said: "We are pleased to report some outstanding achievements by Year 11 students in their GCSE examinations this summer across a wide range of subjects.

"We are really proud of all of our students and the resilience and determination they have shown."

At Abingdon School for boys there were 196 pupils taking GCSEs. There were 43.8 per cent getting grade 9s, 69.8 per cent grades 9 and 8, and 85.7 per cent getting grades 9 to 7.

(Image: Abingdon School) Headteacher Michael Windsor said: "This is an outstanding set of results. I am extremely proud - both of our students who have clearly worked very hard to achieve them; and of our staff who have helped steer and support them over the past two years.”

There were also celebrations at St Helen and St Katharine girls' school.

Eighty-five per cent of pupils achieved grades 9-7 while 65 per cent got grades 9-8.

(Image: St Helen and St Katharine school) Headmistress Rebecca Dougall said: “What a wonderful set of results! Everyone at St Helen’s is so pleased for these students who should be so proud of the outstanding results that they have achieved.

"I pay tribute to the students’ hard work, and to the excellence of the teachers who have steered their path through their GCSE studies."

Head of OLA (Our Lady's Abingdon), Daniel Gibbons said: “Academic excellence continues at OLA and, once again, our pupils have shown that they are able to perform at the highest level."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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