Students across Merton received their GCSE results last week, with 72 per cent overall gaining grades 9 to 4, the equivalent of an A* to C grade, in core subjects English and Maths.

This summer saw the first of a new series of significant changes in GCSEs in England with the content of English language, English literature and maths exams becoming more challenging and the grades obtained by students expressed as 9 (the highest) to 1, instead of A* to G. Grade 4 and above is broadly equivalent to a C and above.

In total, 34 per cent of students achieved the English Baccalaureate - a grade 4 or above in English and mathematics, and grade C or above in science subjects, history or geography and a language.

Students at Ursuline High School performed well above the 2016 national average, with 82 per cent achieving five A*-C GCSEs including 9-4 in English and Maths.

At Raynes Park High, 62 per cent of students achieved grades 9 to 4 in English and maths, while 73 per cent of English students received at least the pass rate, and 70 per cent received the same in Maths. Star students Viktor Mora, Dardan Musliu and Ayyan Syed achieved the coveted Grade 9 in Maths, equivalent to what would have been an A**. Donell Brennan was thrilled to be awarded a Grade 9 in English Literature, giving him a total of seven A-A* grades and Ajfar Choudhury’s hard work paid off, achieving 10 A-A* grades and Elisha Arjoon opened her envelope to find seven A-A* grades.

Outcomes improved at Ricards Lodge by 11 per cent, with 78 per cent of students achieving grades 9 to 4 in English and maths.

At Rutlish, 69 per cent of students achieved grades 9 to 4 in English and maths, an improvement on performance last year and above last year’s national average. Proud Dad Mansoor Ahmad says his son Mashood Ahmad picked up six A*s and 3 As.

Results remained steady at St Mark’s Academy, with 54 per cent of students achieving grades 9 to 4.

Outcomes also improved at Wimbledon College, with 81 per cent of students achieving grades 4 – 9 in English and maths, which is again above last year’s national average. Students were visited by Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh.

At Harris Academy Merton, 23 students achieved five or more A*-A or grade 9 to 7 results in their exams. 70 per cent of students achieved grade 4 and above in English and Maths, and 42 per cent achieved grade 5 and above.

At Wimbledon College, 81 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 and above in English and Maths, with 61 per cent achieving grade 5 and above in both subjects.

Students at Wimbledon High School celebrated as 100 per cent of all GCSEs taken by pupils received A*-A grades. 99.5 per cent of the results were actually A*-B. Eight GCSE subjects taken by students at the school achieved all A* and A Grades. 74 per cent of all results achieved the coveted A* grade, and 93 per cent were marked A*-A.

At Kings College School Wimbledon, 96 per cent of the GCSEs taken by year 11 pupils were graded A* or A. 83 per cent of all GCSEs were graded A*. The 159 pupils gained 1,375 A* grades at GCSE this year, with over a third of pupils (34 per cent) scoring a clean sweep of A*s in their subjects.

Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah said: “Congratulations to all the pupils who received their GCSE results yesterday. I had the opportunity to meet some of them and celebrate their success. As pupils talked about their exciting plans for further study, it was clear that our high-performing Merton schools and dedicated teachers across the borough have given pupils a strong foundation to fulfil their future potential.”