71959-52WHEN Sarah Blackford first arrived at her school to pick up her GCSE results, staff couldn't find her grades.

Thankfully for Sarah, a pupil at Bradon Forest School in Purton, the agony wasn't prolonged. Staff soon located the right envelope and she was celebrating a record achievement of 11 A*s.

Sarah, 16, of Peatmoor, said she went into a state of shock and hadn't been expecting so many top grades.

She said: "I had been predicted mainly A*s and As but I was so shocked to see they were all A*s.

"I was very surprised, especially with some subjects."

Sarah spent Thursday evening at a birthday party and then really cashed in on her success yesterday with a day's shopping with her dad as a reward.

She will take up a music scholarship at Marlborough College in September and will begin studying for A levels in music, business studies, religious studies and maths.

She thinks she might go on to study either music or maths at university.

Other high achievers at the Purton school were Joseph Johnson, who gained eight A*s and two As, and Emma Kershaw and Emma Powell who both recorded seven A*s and three As.

Headteacher Len Spiers said: "We are very pleased with this year's GCSE results.

"Early analysis indicates this year's Year 11 has maintained the high standards set over the last few years.

"I want to say well done to all the students and teachers for all their hard work and dedication which produced such pleasing results.

"More than half the year group gained at least eight or more passes at A* to C, with the majority gaining 11 or 12."

Pupils are celebrating improved results at troubled Headlands School.

After a difficult year, headteacher Jan Shadick said she was pleased the pass rate at A* to C had remained stable.

She said: "The overall GSCE results have seen a significant improvement on last year.

"This is an excellent achievement considering the difficult year the school has had and is testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff at the school, the pupils and their parents.

"I am confident that staff and pupils will work hard to build on the successes of this year to create a caring and stimulating learning atmosphere where everyone will thrive."

In the core subjects of English and science, 97 per cent of pupils passed.

There was a 100 per cent pass rate in subjects such as French, Russian, geography, design technology and PE.

The school will begin the Fresh Start programme next month.

Schools also celebrating record results were St Joseph's, Commonweal and Dorcan Technology College.

Emma-Kate Lidbury